South Africa trail India by 326 runs after day three of the second Test and had Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander to thank for their total of 275 all out. Having been in the field for close to 157 overs as India piled up 601-5 declared in their first knock thanks mainly to Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 254, the Proteas slipped to 36-3 at stumps on day two.
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The challenge on Saturday was to put together partnerships but it was generally a tale of woe as overnight batsman Theunis de Bruyn added 10 more runs to his total before falling for 30 while night-watchman Anrich Nortje scored just a single before losing his wicket to Mohammed Shami for three.
There was some resistance in the middle order as captain Faf du Plessis made 64 and Quinton de Kock hit a rapid 31, but the tourists slipped to 162-8 when the duo had perished. However, Philander batted for 192 deliveries to end unbeaten on 44 while Maharaj stroked 12 fours to make 72 from 132 balls as the pair added 109 for the ninth wicket. Maharaj’s dismissal was closely followed by that of Kagiso Rabada for two and, with two days remaining it seems inevitable that the Asians will wrap up the match and three-game series with ease.
