IND vs SA: 2nd Test – Maharaj, Philander resistance leaves India frustrated on Day 3
Keshav Maharaj and Vernon Philander ensured that South Africa put up an admirable fight on Day 3 of the Pune Test against India. The pair displayed great resolve in their defence, as India threw everything at them but couldn’t break their resistance. After a brilliant first session, it appeared to be a formality that India would wrap the tail up quickly. Philander and Maharaj though batted together for the better part of two sessions to ensure that India had a frustrating day in the office. Ravichandran Ashwin finally managed to wrap things up in quick succession near the end of the day, with South Africa bowled out for 275. They still trail the hosts by 326 runs with India still well and truly in the driver’s seat.
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Bowlers hit their radar again
India were simply brilliant on Day 2 of the Test, which had ensured that they assumed a commanding position in the match. They started Day 3, in the same manner as they left off. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav were bang on the money, troubling both de Bruyn and Nortje. The nightwatchman’s resistance could not last long as he perished against the guile of Mohammed Shami. Umesh Yadav too made a good impression, giving India another big breakthrough. Theunis de Bruyn who was looking composed on the crease, could not resist playing a loose shot. He managed to edge one to the safe hands of Wriddhiman Saha to leave the Proteas in doldrum. South Africa’s two most experienced batters – Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock then joined forces at the crease.
Just as they were starting to get into their groove, Ravichandran Ashwin produced a peach to knock off the wicketkeeper-batsman. The expression on de Kock’s face spoke volumes. He was stunned. Senuran Muthusamy soon followed suit, with Jadeja too getting into the action. It was now left up to the skipper to mount a fightback. He looked well settled at the crease but was eventually outfoxed by Ashwin who dismissed him on 64.
Maharaj, Philander teach the batting lineup a lesson or two
Perhaps, the South African batters can watch video footage of how Maharaj and Philander countered the Indian bowlers. Both of them are no mugs with the bat and their qualities were on full display in Pune. While Maharaj was the aggressor, Philander was more reserved in nature. They complimented each other perfectly and made the Indian bowlers toil for almost 50 overs. The Indians tried each and every strategy to gain a breakthrough, but everything went in vain. The way they countered the threat of Ashwin and Jadeja was in particular, highly impressive. They also had to contend with Shami’s late reverse swing. Maharaj crossed the half-century mark and palpable frustration was clearly visible on the Indian faces.
Ashwin finally finishes the job
The long hard toil was at last over for the Indian bowlers as the offie finally managed to finish the job. Maharaj was looking good for an improbable century. But his innings came to an end as Rohit Sharma committed no mistake after Ashwin managed to induce an error out of him. A brilliant and highly entertaining knock of 72 off 132 deliveries came to an end. The partnership between Philander and Maharaj cost India a mammoth 109 runs, while undoubtedly draining the energy of the Indian bowlers. Rabada then joined Philander at the crease, but could not last long. Ashwin trapped him plum in front of the stumps and even a tactical DRS call could not save him. The fruits of hard labour eventually paid off for the Indians as they walked off the field at stumps with a smile on their faces.
