South Africa vs India, 1st Test: Rain washes out Day 3 at Newlands

Cape Town:  The third day of the first  test between South Africa and India on Sunday was washed out after heavy downpour. South Africa are currently on top as they lead the test by 142 runs and will commence its second innings on the fourth day at 65-2 if  weather clears up.

Match officials waited just after the scheduled tea break in the afternoon to start the play but continues rain did not allow the play to start on the third day .

While the cricket fans were expecting yet another day of engrossing cricket, the heavy downpour left the fans disappointed.

While the weather forecast had indicated the chances of rain, the raingods had no surprise in store on Sunday morning. The rain did not take a breather as there were huge puddles of water on the outfield.

While Hardik Pandya’s stunning all-round performance has kept India afloat, Virat Kohli and co will need to click as a unit as India aim to turn the tide on Day three of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

With the pace battery of Morne Mokel, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander firing with all cylinders, the hosts had India tottering at 7 for 92. However, Pandya’s fine counterattacking innings of 92 off 95 balls pushed India to 209 and restricted South Africa’s lead to 77. While the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar threatened to run away with the game, Pandya struck twice as the Proteas ended Day 2 at 65/2 – 142 runs ahead of India’s first innings total, with Hashim Amla and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada in the middle.

While South Africa are going to be without Steyn in the remainder of the Test after the speedster walked off the field, Indian bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik and R Ashwin – will need to turn up big time and run through the South African batting line-up before Kohli and the other Indian batsmen could harbour thoughts of a stunning coming-from-behind win and 1-0 lead in the series.