BLOG | SCORECARD
STUMPS, DAY 1
India 224/3
Rohit Sharma 117*
Ajinkya Rahane 83*
Kagiso Rabada 2/54
3:46 pm: So, the day's play has been officially called off. Bad light forces early stumps on Day 1.
3:22 pm: It has started to rain in Ranchi.
3:16 pm: Bad news folks! Covers are coming on.
3:10 pm: Bad news! It is getting darker in Ranchi.
3:00 pm: Umpires are assessing things right now. The fourth umpire Nitin Menon also joins other umpires in the middle.
OVERS 58: Play halts due to bad light in Ranchi. Players are making their way to the pavillion. India 224/3
Rohit Sharma 117*, Ajinkya Rahane 83*
OVERS 57.1: FOUR! What a shot from Rohit. The righ-hander picks the length and flicks the ball beautifully towards deep square leg for a boundary. India 223/3
OVERS 56.2: FOUR! Rahane comes forward and sends Linde towards long on got a boundary. The Mumbaikar moves to 82 with this four. India 217/3
Welcome back! Third and final session gets underway.
That's TEA in Ranchi.
India 205/3 at tea against South Africa
Rohit 108*, Rahane 74*
Most centuries by an Indian opener in a series:
OVERS 48.4: 200 comes up for India.
Most centuries by India openers in a series:
OVERS 44.4: CENTURY!!! Rohit Sharma brings up his 6th Test century. Rohit reminds us of Sehwag, brings up his ton with a huge six off Piedt. He dances down the track and smashes Piedt towards long off. India 184/3 against South Africa in Ranchi
OVERS 43.4: FOUR! In the air and the ball races towards boundary. Rahane hots Rabada towards long on. The partnership between the two is now 135 runs. India 174/3
OVERS 42.3: SIX! Rohit moves to 90 with a huge six towards long on off Piedt. What a shot from him.
OVERS 41: SIX! Stand and deliver. Rohit picks the length and smashes the ball over long off region for a huge six. Piedt isn't happy. India 162/3
OVERS 38.3: FIFTY! Ajinkya Rahane brings up his 21st Test half-century. India 148/3
OVERS 37.2: FOUR! Wow! What a shot from Rohit. He stands tall and drives Ngidi beautifully towards long off. 12th boundary for Rohit in the innings so far. He moves to 71. India 143/3
OVERS 36.2: FOUR! Rohit is dealing in boundaries right now. He sends Linde towards deep mid wicket. India 138/3
OVERS 35.6: FOUR! That's Rohit's special. He drifts this towards deep extra cover. That's shot of the day. India 133/3
OVERS 35: FOUR! Superb shot from Rohit. He comes forward and sends Linde towards mid wicket. India 128/3
OVERS 33.5: FOUR! Rahane stays back and plays this beautifully towards deep backward point off Nortje. India 122/3
OVERS 29.3: FIFTY! Rohit Sharma brings up his 11th Test half-century.
OVERS 29: FOUR! Rahane sends Rabada towards deep square leg. 7th boundary for Rahane. India 111/3
OVERS 28.3: FOUR! Rahane uses the pace and guides the ball towards fine leg for another boundary. He is dealing in boundaries right now. He moves to 36 off just 39 balls. India 107/3
100 comes up for India in 28.1 overs. Rohit 47*, Ajinkya 32*
OVERS 27.6: FOUR! What a shot from Rahane. He goes on backfoot and punches Linde through covers for a boundary. Beautiful shot from him. India 98/3
50-run partnership comes up between Rahane and Rohit. India 89/3 in 25 overs.
OVERS 24.5: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Rahane. Third boundary of the over.
OVERS 24.1: FOUR! Lovely shot from Rahane. It comes from the bottom of the bat. Rahane picks the length and flicks beautifully for a boundary. India 80/3
Welcome back! Second session gets underway.
That's LUNCH in Ranchi.
India 71/3 at lunch against South Africa
Rohit 38*, Rahane 11*
Rabada 2/15
Electing to bat, India struggled to 71 for three at lunch on the opening day of the third and final Test against South Africa. India lost opener Mayank Agarwal (10), Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and skipper Virat Kohli (12) with South Africa pacers finally giving a good account of themselves. Rohit Sharma (38) and vice captain Ajinkya Rahane (11) were at the crease when the break was taken. India lead the series 2-0, having won in Visakhapatnam and Pune.
OVERS 22.5: SIX! First six of the India innings. Short from Nortje. Rohit stays back and pulls this away over fine leg.
OVERS 20.6: FOUR! What a way to end the over. Rahane guides Ngidi towards third man for a boundary. 9 runs off the pacer's over. India 60/3
OVERS 20.1: FOUR! This was a typical Rohit shot. He stays back and plays a beautiful pull shot off Ngidi towards square leg boundary. India 55/3
OVERS 18.1: FOUR! Rohit sends Ngidi towards deep mid wicket for a boundary. What a flick from the right-hander. India 47/3
STAT ATTACK: Bowlers getting VIRAT KOHLI as their maiden wicket in Tests:
Ajinkya Rahane comes to the crease
OVERS 15.2: WICKET! A loud LBW appeal from Nortje against Kohli. Umpire raises his finger. Kohli discusses with Rohit and asks for a review. It's OUT. Nortze exults in celebration. Big wicket for South Africa. India 39/3
OVERS 14.3: FOUR! Brilliant shot from Rohit. The right-hander stays back and pulls Rabada towards deep mid wicket for a boundary. India 37/2
It's time for DRINKS!
OVERS 12.3: FOUR! Short from Rabada. Rohit stays back and plays a pull shot towards fine leg. India 29/2
OVERS 11.5: FOUR! Kohli uses the pace and flicks the ball once again towards fine leg. Second boundary of the over. India 25/2
OVERS 11.2: FOUR! Kohli flicks this beautifully towards fine leg for a boundary. Nortje isn't happy with this. India 21/2
OVERS 11: Brilliant bowling from Rabada. Another maiden from him. India 17/2
OVERS 10.2: A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Rohit. Umpire raises his finger. Rohit is surprised and immediately asks for a review. The replay shows there is an inside edge. Umpire has to overturn his decision. It's NOT OUT.
OVERS 9: Maiden and a wicket for Rabada. India 16/2
And, Rabada welcomes the Indian skipper with a breezy bouncer.
Did you hear the noise? Captain Virat Kohli comes to the crease.
OVERS 8.3: WICKET! A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Pujara. Umpire says NO. Faf immediately asks for a review. It looks pretty close. It's OUT. Pujara departs for a duck. Second wicket for Rabada. What a morning for South Africa. India 16/2
OVERS 7.6: FOUR! Rohit opens the face of the bat, uses the pace and cuts the ball towards third man for a boundary off Ngidi. India 16/1
OVERS 6.1: A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Pujara. Umpire says NO. The ball hits Pujara's thigh pad. It seems so close. Height is the issue. Rabada is having a conversation with Du Plessis. They decides not to take a review. Hawkeye shows the ball is going over the stumps. Brilliant bowling from Rabada.
Cheteshwar Pujara comes to the crease.
OVERS 4.6: WICKET! Kagiso Rabada draws first blood. Mayank Agarwal departs for 10. Rabada bowls fuller. Mayank fails to judge and gets an outside edge. Dean Elgar takes a superb low catch at third slip. Brilliant work from Rabada. India 12/1.
OVERS 4.4: FOUR! Another boundary for Mayank Agarwal. Mayank gets an outside edge off Rabada and the ball races past gully. India 12/0
OVERS 4: Back-to-back maiden overs from South African bowlers Rabada and Ngidi. India 7/0
End of OVER 2: Brilliant start from Ngidi. Just 1 run off his over. India 7/0
Lungi Ngidi starts from the other end.
OVER 0.4: FOUR! First boundary of the Indian innings. Mayank Agarwal gets an outside edge off Rabada and the ball races towards boundary. India 6/0
Kagiso Rabada will start the proceedings for South Africa.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal are making their way to the middle.
PLAYING XIs:
India: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen(w), George Linde, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
TEAM CHANGES:
Five changes for South Africa: Hamza, Klaasen, Linde, Ngidi and Piedt are IN. Apart from the injured Markram, South Africa have left out Philander, de Bruyn, Muthusamy and Maharaj.
One change for India: Ishant Sharma out, Shahbaz Nadeem makes debut.
CAPTAINS' TAKE:
VIRAT KOHLI, India captain:
It's a no-brainer to bat first on this one. I don't think it's gonna be slow but it will keep low. Should spin at a decent pace. As long as it turns with pace on the ball, we don't mind the bounce. Just one change - Ishant has been given a break. Shahbaz Nadeem makes his debut. Unfortunately, Kuldeep couldn't pull up. We checked on him yesterday but he didn't respond well enough from his shoulder niggle. Nadeem is the local boy and it's a dream debut. We'll have to continue to work hard and look to win sessions of cricket. That's the only message I look to pass on.
FAF DU PLESSIS, South Africa captain:
It shows that it isn't meant to be. Important toss as this looks the driest surface of the series. It's about the first innings really and we need to put runs on the board when we bat. One forced change with Aiden (Markram). Few other changes as well. Quinton will open the batting. Hopefully he can put pressure on the Indian bowlers, like what Rohit has done for India. Heinrich Klaasen comes in as the wicket-keeper. We've gone in with five bowlers to take the 20 wickets and hopefully we can. Starting in India is a tough challenge and all teams that have played here will vouch for it. We did compete well in the first game but it didn't go our way last game. We're ready for the fight.
TOSS: India captain Virat Kohli wins toss, opts to bat against South Africa in Ranchi.
It's toss time, folks.
BREAKING: Shahbaz Nadeem is all set to make his Test debut today. He was given the Test cap by captain Virat Kohli.
UPDATE: Scattered showers are predicted over the course of the Day 1 play.
Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day 1 of the third Test between India and South Africa.
PREVIEW:
It would have been a dead rubber but with valuable World Test Championship points on offer, India would be eyeing victory while South Africa would be desperate for some consolation in a wretched tour when the third and final Test starts in Ranchi.
There are 40 points on offer and a 3-0 series whitewash, both of which India would be targetting against the hapless visitors.
Dominating the Proteas in all the departments, India won the first Test in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs before inflicting an innings and 137-run defeat on the hapless visitors in Pune to regain the Freedom Trophy.
India, who have 200 points from four games, have a massive 140-point lead over nearest rivals New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the WTC standings. Skipper Virat Kohli has also made it clear that there is plenty to play for in the final Test and the team cannot afford a drop in intensity.
Going into the game, India have very few holes to plug, be it their batting or bowling.
The home team could not have asked for more from their top-order with Rohit Sharma showing why he is such an impact player as he feasted on the South African bowlers with twin hundreds in the first Test while opening for the first time. The Mumbaikar's opening partner Mayank Agarwal on the other hand went on to convert his maiden hundred into a double in Visakhapatnam and followed it up with another century in Pune.
Then it was the turn of 'King Kohli' who came to the party in the Pune with a career-best double hundred -- a majestic 254 not out -- and made it look like a routine job.
Rohit will be eyeing a big score after not firing in the first innings of the Pune Test while Cheteshwar Pujara, who has scored two fifties in the series, would be looking to cross the three-figure mark.
That India have lost only 16 wickets while routing South Africa in both the Tests sums up their dominance.
Toss has also been kind to India so far and things are likely to get more exciting if the stroke of luck favours Faf du Plessis in the final Test.
The last time South Africa toured the India, rank-turners had welcomed the side but this time both the pacers and spinners have been able to extract something out of the pitch.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second.
STUMPS, DAY 1
India 224/3
Rohit Sharma 117*
Ajinkya Rahane 83*
Kagiso Rabada 2/54
Bad Light forces early call of play. #TeamIndia 224/3 with Rohit on 117* & Rahane on 83*. Join us for Day 2 tomorro… https://t.co/wpi4r6Dggx
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571480778000 That's stumps at Ranchi! Play will start 30 minutes early tomorrow due to the lost time today ⏰ Can Ajinkya Rahane… https://t.co/i7F5mvU9bh
— ICC (@ICC) 1571480881000 3:46 pm: So, the day's play has been officially called off. Bad light forces early stumps on Day 1.
3:22 pm: It has started to rain in Ranchi.
3:16 pm: Bad news folks! Covers are coming on.
3:10 pm: Bad news! It is getting darker in Ranchi.
3:00 pm: Umpires are assessing things right now. The fourth umpire Nitin Menon also joins other umpires in the middle.
OVERS 58: Play halts due to bad light in Ranchi. Players are making their way to the pavillion. India 224/3
Rohit Sharma 117*, Ajinkya Rahane 83*
OVERS 57.1: FOUR! What a shot from Rohit. The righ-hander picks the length and flicks the ball beautifully towards deep square leg for a boundary. India 223/3
OVERS 56.2: FOUR! Rahane comes forward and sends Linde towards long on got a boundary. The Mumbaikar moves to 82 with this four. India 217/3
Welcome back! Third and final session gets underway.
That's TEA in Ranchi.
India 205/3 at tea against South Africa
Rohit 108*, Rahane 74*
A brilliant century for @ImRo45 as #TeamIndia head for Tea on Day 1 of the 3rd Test with 205/3 on the board. How m… https://t.co/7cH4a4KlrX
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571474745000 Most centuries by an Indian opener in a series:
| 4 Sunil Gavaskar vs West Indies 1970/71 (Away) 4 Sunil Gavaskar vs West Indies 1978/79 (Home) 3 Sunil Gavaskar vs Australia 1977/78 (Away) 3 Rohit Sharma vs South Africa 2019/20 (Home) |
OVERS 48.4: 200 comes up for India.
Most centuries by India openers in a series:
| 5* vs South Africa 2019/20 (Home) 4 vs West Indies 1970/71 (Away) 4 vs West Indies 1978/79 (Home) 4 vs Sri Lanka 2009/10 (Home) |
🤘🤙 #INDvSA https://t.co/Q82AawwQOQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571473828000 OVERS 44.4: CENTURY!!! Rohit Sharma brings up his 6th Test century. Rohit reminds us of Sehwag, brings up his ton with a huge six off Piedt. He dances down the track and smashes Piedt towards long off. India 184/3 against South Africa in Ranchi
6th Test 💯✅ 2000 Test runs ✅ Hitman @ImRo45 👏 https://t.co/3WRePPZp3k
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571472993000 OVERS 43.4: FOUR! In the air and the ball races towards boundary. Rahane hots Rabada towards long on. The partnership between the two is now 135 runs. India 174/3
OVERS 42.3: SIX! Rohit moves to 90 with a huge six towards long on off Piedt. What a shot from him.
OVERS 41: SIX! Stand and deliver. Rohit picks the length and smashes the ball over long off region for a huge six. Piedt isn't happy. India 162/3
OVERS 38.3: FIFTY! Ajinkya Rahane brings up his 21st Test half-century. India 148/3
FIFTY runs for @ajinkyarahane88. This is his 21st half-century in Test cricket. #INDvSA https://t.co/jSgMI1rM3P
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571471371000 OVERS 37.2: FOUR! Wow! What a shot from Rohit. He stands tall and drives Ngidi beautifully towards long off. 12th boundary for Rohit in the innings so far. He moves to 71. India 143/3
OVERS 36.2: FOUR! Rohit is dealing in boundaries right now. He sends Linde towards deep mid wicket. India 138/3
OVERS 35.6: FOUR! That's Rohit's special. He drifts this towards deep extra cover. That's shot of the day. India 133/3
OVERS 35: FOUR! Superb shot from Rohit. He comes forward and sends Linde towards mid wicket. India 128/3
OVERS 33.5: FOUR! Rahane stays back and plays this beautifully towards deep backward point off Nortje. India 122/3
OVERS 29.3: FIFTY! Rohit Sharma brings up his 11th Test half-century.
FIFTY! Standing tall and how. @ImRo45 brings up a well made half-century off 86 deliveries. This is his 11th in Te… https://t.co/84NrBXjrnq
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571468948000 OVERS 29: FOUR! Rahane sends Rabada towards deep square leg. 7th boundary for Rahane. India 111/3
OVERS 28.3: FOUR! Rahane uses the pace and guides the ball towards fine leg for another boundary. He is dealing in boundaries right now. He moves to 36 off just 39 balls. India 107/3
100 comes up for India in 28.1 overs. Rohit 47*, Ajinkya 32*
OVERS 27.6: FOUR! What a shot from Rahane. He goes on backfoot and punches Linde through covers for a boundary. Beautiful shot from him. India 98/3
50-run partnership comes up between Rahane and Rohit. India 89/3 in 25 overs.
50-run partnership between @ImRo45 & @ajinkyarahane88 👏👏 #INDvSA https://t.co/jbwYK1CicF
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571467737000 OVERS 24.5: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Rahane. Third boundary of the over.
OVERS 24.1: FOUR! Lovely shot from Rahane. It comes from the bottom of the bat. Rahane picks the length and flicks beautifully for a boundary. India 80/3
Welcome back! Second session gets underway.
That's LUNCH in Ranchi.
India 71/3 at lunch against South Africa
Rohit 38*, Rahane 11*
Rabada 2/15
Electing to bat, India struggled to 71 for three at lunch on the opening day of the third and final Test against South Africa. India lost opener Mayank Agarwal (10), Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and skipper Virat Kohli (12) with South Africa pacers finally giving a good account of themselves. Rohit Sharma (38) and vice captain Ajinkya Rahane (11) were at the crease when the break was taken. India lead the series 2-0, having won in Visakhapatnam and Pune.
OVERS 22.5: SIX! First six of the India innings. Short from Nortje. Rohit stays back and pulls this away over fine leg.
OVERS 20.6: FOUR! What a way to end the over. Rahane guides Ngidi towards third man for a boundary. 9 runs off the pacer's over. India 60/3
OVERS 20.1: FOUR! This was a typical Rohit shot. He stays back and plays a beautiful pull shot off Ngidi towards square leg boundary. India 55/3
OVERS 18.1: FOUR! Rohit sends Ngidi towards deep mid wicket for a boundary. What a flick from the right-hander. India 47/3
STAT ATTACK: Bowlers getting VIRAT KOHLI as their maiden wicket in Tests:
| PLAYER | TEAM |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa |
| Alzarri Joseph | West Indies |
| Senuran Muthuswamy | South Africa |
| Anrich Nortje (TODAY) | South Africa |
Ajinkya Rahane comes to the crease
OVERS 15.2: WICKET! A loud LBW appeal from Nortje against Kohli. Umpire raises his finger. Kohli discusses with Rohit and asks for a review. It's OUT. Nortze exults in celebration. Big wicket for South Africa. India 39/3
WICKET | Straight ☑️ Fast ☑️ Out👆 Nortje strikes and sends Kohli back to the pavilion. What a wicket to get as yo… https://t.co/zmakoe0eoO
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1571462581000 OVERS 14.3: FOUR! Brilliant shot from Rohit. The right-hander stays back and pulls Rabada towards deep mid wicket for a boundary. India 37/2
It's time for DRINKS!
DRINKS | OVERS: 13 | INDIA: 29/2 It's been a really entertaining battle this morning between the 2 sides. Rabada… https://t.co/z9JZI0h7o7
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1571461599000 OVERS 12.3: FOUR! Short from Rabada. Rohit stays back and plays a pull shot towards fine leg. India 29/2
OVERS 11.5: FOUR! Kohli uses the pace and flicks the ball once again towards fine leg. Second boundary of the over. India 25/2
OVERS 11.2: FOUR! Kohli flicks this beautifully towards fine leg for a boundary. Nortje isn't happy with this. India 21/2
OVERS 11: Brilliant bowling from Rabada. Another maiden from him. India 17/2
OVERS 10.2: A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Rohit. Umpire raises his finger. Rohit is surprised and immediately asks for a review. The replay shows there is an inside edge. Umpire has to overturn his decision. It's NOT OUT.
Very happy for Test debutant Shabaz Nadeem. Consistent performances in domestic cricket, India A & IPL have earned… https://t.co/8yRt1JMvH4
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) 1571458661000 OVERS 9: Maiden and a wicket for Rabada. India 16/2
And, Rabada welcomes the Indian skipper with a breezy bouncer.
Did you hear the noise? Captain Virat Kohli comes to the crease.
OVERS 8.3: WICKET! A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Pujara. Umpire says NO. Faf immediately asks for a review. It looks pretty close. It's OUT. Pujara departs for a duck. Second wicket for Rabada. What a morning for South Africa. India 16/2
WICKET | CA Pujara lbw b Rabada 0 (9b 0x4 0x6) Rabada strikes again! This one was sent upstairs and the umpires d… https://t.co/m5DpHAaoji
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1571460473000 OVERS 7.6: FOUR! Rohit opens the face of the bat, uses the pace and cuts the ball towards third man for a boundary off Ngidi. India 16/1
OVERS 6.1: A loud LBW appeal from Rabada against Pujara. Umpire says NO. The ball hits Pujara's thigh pad. It seems so close. Height is the issue. Rabada is having a conversation with Du Plessis. They decides not to take a review. Hawkeye shows the ball is going over the stumps. Brilliant bowling from Rabada.
Cheteshwar Pujara comes to the crease.
OVERS 4.6: WICKET! Kagiso Rabada draws first blood. Mayank Agarwal departs for 10. Rabada bowls fuller. Mayank fails to judge and gets an outside edge. Dean Elgar takes a superb low catch at third slip. Brilliant work from Rabada. India 12/1.
WICKET | MA Agarwal c Elgar b Rabada 10 Rabada strikes to bring India to 12/1. He's been asking the batsmen a lot… https://t.co/P1KMOZVg1Z
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1571459128000 OVERS 4.4: FOUR! Another boundary for Mayank Agarwal. Mayank gets an outside edge off Rabada and the ball races past gully. India 12/0
OVERS 4: Back-to-back maiden overs from South African bowlers Rabada and Ngidi. India 7/0
End of OVER 2: Brilliant start from Ngidi. Just 1 run off his over. India 7/0
Lungi Ngidi starts from the other end.
Lungi Ngidi will partner Rabada with the new ball. So good to see the big man raring to go for the Proteas.… https://t.co/xY7fYdHVJE
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1571457959000 OVER 0.4: FOUR! First boundary of the Indian innings. Mayank Agarwal gets an outside edge off Rabada and the ball races towards boundary. India 6/0
Kagiso Rabada will start the proceedings for South Africa.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal are making their way to the middle.
We are minutes away from LIVE action - Time for the final Test in Ranchi #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm https://t.co/KVC1bSP0at
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571457480000 PLAYING XIs:
India: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen(w), George Linde, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
Congratulations Nadeem so much happy for u bro u deserve this chance 🇮🇳👏👏👏😊👍 best wishes for ur test match debut https://t.co/YyWWrke5fg
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) 1571457755000 TEAM CHANGES:
Five changes for South Africa: Hamza, Klaasen, Linde, Ngidi and Piedt are IN. Apart from the injured Markram, South Africa have left out Philander, de Bruyn, Muthusamy and Maharaj.
One change for India: Ishant Sharma out, Shahbaz Nadeem makes debut.
Virat Kohli called it a no-brainer to bat first at the Toss #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm 🇮🇳🇮🇳 https://t.co/3V4fKvcVWr
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571456837000 CAPTAINS' TAKE:
VIRAT KOHLI, India captain:
It's a no-brainer to bat first on this one. I don't think it's gonna be slow but it will keep low. Should spin at a decent pace. As long as it turns with pace on the ball, we don't mind the bounce. Just one change - Ishant has been given a break. Shahbaz Nadeem makes his debut. Unfortunately, Kuldeep couldn't pull up. We checked on him yesterday but he didn't respond well enough from his shoulder niggle. Nadeem is the local boy and it's a dream debut. We'll have to continue to work hard and look to win sessions of cricket. That's the only message I look to pass on.
FAF DU PLESSIS, South Africa captain:
It shows that it isn't meant to be. Important toss as this looks the driest surface of the series. It's about the first innings really and we need to put runs on the board when we bat. One forced change with Aiden (Markram). Few other changes as well. Quinton will open the batting. Hopefully he can put pressure on the Indian bowlers, like what Rohit has done for India. Heinrich Klaasen comes in as the wicket-keeper. We've gone in with five bowlers to take the 20 wickets and hopefully we can. Starting in India is a tough challenge and all teams that have played here will vouch for it. We did compete well in the first game but it didn't go our way last game. We're ready for the fight.
TOSS: India captain Virat Kohli wins toss, opts to bat against South Africa in Ranchi.
It's toss time, folks.
BREAKING: Shahbaz Nadeem is all set to make his Test debut today. He was given the Test cap by captain Virat Kohli.
Big day for Shahbaz Nadeem as he is all set to make his Test debut 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm https://t.co/3hfYTaVyDL
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571455511000 UPDATE: Scattered showers are predicted over the course of the Day 1 play.
Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day 1 of the third Test between India and South Africa.
PREVIEW:
It would have been a dead rubber but with valuable World Test Championship points on offer, India would be eyeing victory while South Africa would be desperate for some consolation in a wretched tour when the third and final Test starts in Ranchi.
There are 40 points on offer and a 3-0 series whitewash, both of which India would be targetting against the hapless visitors.
SET for Test Match 3 against South Africa ☑️ #TeamIndia #INDvSA https://t.co/0Htv31nPwW
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571387106000 Dominating the Proteas in all the departments, India won the first Test in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs before inflicting an innings and 137-run defeat on the hapless visitors in Pune to regain the Freedom Trophy.
India, who have 200 points from four games, have a massive 140-point lead over nearest rivals New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the WTC standings. Skipper Virat Kohli has also made it clear that there is plenty to play for in the final Test and the team cannot afford a drop in intensity.
Going into the game, India have very few holes to plug, be it their batting or bowling.
.@ImIshant at it in the nets 😎 #INDvSA https://t.co/awwI9ua3lk
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571377435000 The home team could not have asked for more from their top-order with Rohit Sharma showing why he is such an impact player as he feasted on the South African bowlers with twin hundreds in the first Test while opening for the first time. The Mumbaikar's opening partner Mayank Agarwal on the other hand went on to convert his maiden hundred into a double in Visakhapatnam and followed it up with another century in Pune.
Then it was the turn of 'King Kohli' who came to the party in the Pune with a career-best double hundred -- a majestic 254 not out -- and made it look like a routine job.
📸 @Wriddhipops's catch in slo-mo #INDvSA https://t.co/f1Aczwix0c
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571376731000 Rohit will be eyeing a big score after not firing in the first innings of the Pune Test while Cheteshwar Pujara, who has scored two fifties in the series, would be looking to cross the three-figure mark.
That India have lost only 16 wickets while routing South Africa in both the Tests sums up their dominance.
#TeamIndia trained at the nets at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi ahead of the 3rd and final Test against South Africa.… https://t.co/30h1MAbiTw
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571311751000 Toss has also been kind to India so far and things are likely to get more exciting if the stroke of luck favours Faf du Plessis in the final Test.
The last time South Africa toured the India, rank-turners had welcomed the side but this time both the pacers and spinners have been able to extract something out of the pitch.
A warm welcome from the JSCA Stadium, Ranchi ☀️☀️ https://t.co/41J2mHKXvR
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1571298960000 Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com
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