South Africa in hot pursuit as Elgar takes home team to 118/2 chasing India’s 240

Dean Elgar led South Africa within 112 runs of India’s 240 mark, as the visitors seemed determined to stand their ground while Day 3 of the Johannesburg Test came to an end.

Elgar did take some bad shots off deliveries that went haywire, hitting the cracks on the pitch, but managed to dig his heels in and keep his team on the course to reaching India’s score. Currently, South Africa is at 118 for 2 and struggling to match up to the target set by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s hundred-plus partnership.

Shardul Thakur (1/21), who is in the middle of a great Test performance, got his eighth wicket of the game in an over during which the ball seamed, bounced and kept low from the same spot with the last one finding opener Aiden Markram’s (31) pads.

Also Read | Pant says “keep your mouth shut” to van der Dussen amid catch controversy

Keegan Petersen (28) managed to add another 46 runs with his team skipper until Ravichandran Ashwin (1/14) got a delivery to drift and turn, getting a leg-before wicket decision going his way.

However, like every new innings in this game where heavy roller has made batting easier by ironing out the divots on the good length spots, Elgar was ready to play the ugly game putting his body on the line, getting hit on the knuckles, shoulder, chest as well as on his head. This prompted a quick concussion test on the field.

Also Read | Watch: Shardul Thakur gives Marco Jansen a taste of his own medicine, a nasty bouncer on chest

Naturally, South Africa might feel that they’re close to tasting victory and have a foot through the winning door. However, the collapse of batting orders has changed the course of many a match before.

Nonetheless, there are two primary things that India should worry about heading into Day 4 of the Johannesburg Test.

The batting conditions have improved in this Test with the progress of the match, and the scores are testament to that. Further, Mohammed Siraj is not at full fitness and has only bowled four out of 40 overs played, until now.

The Indian team, in its mind, knows that it is a bowler short.

Finally, India’s middle-order came through with combative half-centuries from the underfire duo of Pujara and Rahane.

Pujara (53 off 86 balls) and Rahane (58 off 78 balls) gave a fresh lease of life to their respective careers with timely knocks while Hanuma Vihari (40 not out) also played a crucial part in increasing India’s overall lead as they finished their second innings at 266.

[Edited with PTI Inputs]