After losing two wickets early on Day 3, India captain Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have built up a good partnership. Pant smashed a half century looking in great touch since morning along with Kohli. Earlier, India lost Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in succession at the start of the third day.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen picked two wickets each. On Day 2, India wrapped up the home team for 210 runs as they grabbed a 13-run lead in the first innings. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with a brilliant five-wicket haul. The three-match is currently tied at 1-1 and the last three days will be important in deciding the fate of the series.
South Africa batter Keegan Petersen feels the Indian pace attack is the “most challenging” bowling attack he has faced in his career. Jasprit Bumrah’s dominant bowling performance backed up by a gritty batting performance by Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli helped India recover some lost ground against South Africa on Day 2 of the ongonig third Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Petersen pointed out the pace battery of India keeps the South African batters on their toes every time and the hosts need to be focused while facing them.
“It’s (the Indian pace attack) extremely challenging. It’s the most challenging I’ve had in my whole career. You have to be focused and on your mark all the time or else they will expose you,” said Petersen in the press conference after the end of the day’s play.
