Twitter Reactions: Day 3 ends early with unplayable conditions after a spectacular batting performance by India
Shami and Bhuvi were appreciated but for a change, it was for their batting performance.
In a Test match that could’ve turned fortunes for the Indian team, the day 3 was called off as a result of unplayable playing conditions. The pitch did show some dangerous features when Ajinkya Rahane was batting. However, India continued to play without being bothered as they were determined to convert this advantageous position into a winning one.
With the Indians in a winning position, skipper Virat Kohli was certainly not pleased with the decision. They lost KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara early on the third morning. However, Kohli and Murali Vijay batted spectacularly and weren’t fazed by some of the deliveries that bounced awkwardly or missed the outside edge of the bat.
However, Vijay was dismissed in the final over before lunch. Ajinkya Rahane playing his first match on tour pulled out an equally outstanding inning as he fell two runs short of a well deserved fifty. The South African bowlers failed to exploit the conditions against an Indian batting that showed a lot of resolve. However, at 148/6, it seemed as if the Proteas bowling attack would cash in.
India’s best all-rounder Bhuvneshwar Kumar once again came to the team’s rescue. He and Rahane combined for a 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket to add to South Africa’s misery. If all this wasn’t enough to irritate the Proteas bowling attack, Mohammed Shami played a splendid cameo.
He smashed sixes off Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. They finally managed to contain India for a total of 247 runs. The trio of Philander, Rabada and Morkel got three wickets each. Ngidi got the lone wicket of Shami who was creating a ruckus out there for South Africa.
Chasing 241, South Africa lost Aiden Markram early on as Shami drew first blood. However, there was a lot of uneven bounce on the surface. After a ball hit Dean Elgar on the helmet, match referee interrupted as the umpires took the players off; it soon started to rain and the day was called off.
Twitter could sense an Indian victory looming around the corner. However, there was disappointment over the possibility of the game getting abandoned. Talking about the match proceedings, Kohli and Rahane were lauded for their wonderful batting. Shami and Bhuvi were also appreciated but for a change, it was for the batting performance.
Here we have some of the Twitter reactions from Day 3:
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