Twitter Reactions: Ashwin strikes after Elgar, De Kock tons make India sweat

Coming into the third day of the first Test, India would’ve hoped to turn the screws on South Africa in Visakhapatnam. But the Proteas had other ideas. The visitors showed grit and determination to end the day on 385 for eight, trailing by 117 runs. Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock’s centuries attributed to their comeback in conditions, which weren’t easy for batters by any means.

Elgar and Du Plessis come to the party

With a trail of 346, Temba Bavuma (18) and Elgar (160) resumed play, but Ishant Sharma trapped the former plumb in front. Thereafter, skipper Faf du Plessis (55) and Elgar added 115 runs for the fifth wicket. The Proteas went into lunch with the score at 153 for four. Seven overs after the break, Ravi Ashwin got Du Plessis, caught at the leg-slip. Prior to that Elgar notched his ton in 175 balls.

The Proteas were faced with a trail of over 300 runs with half their batting back in the hut. The onus was then on Quinton de Kock (111) and Elgar to take their team forward and they did it expertly. The duo added 164 runs for the sixth wicket in 42 overs. In the second session, South Africa took the attack to the opposition, scored 139 runs in 37 overs and made the hosts work hard for wickets.

De Kock soars above expectations  

Elgar couldn’t carry on deep in the day, trying to take on Ravindra Jadeja, who became the fastest left-arm bowler to 200 Test wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara took a well-judged catch in the deep to cut short Elgar’s knock, and most importantly break the partnership. Before the match, De Kock had a Test average of under 20 in Asia. However, the southpaw was in a different zone altogether.

He got to his century off 149 balls and never allowed the bowlers to settle. It took a peach of a ball from Ashwin to send him back. Ashwin castled Vernon Philander to pick up a five-wicket haul. Senuran Muthusamy was cautious and he remained unbeaten, playing out 60 balls. In the first session of Day four, he along with Keshav Maharaj need to take the Proteas closer to India’s score.

Here is how Twitter reacted on the day’s play