India vs South Africa, Highlights, 3rd Test Day 1 at Ranchi, Full Cricket Score: India reach 224/3 before rain leads to early stumps

Good fightback by India after losing early wickets

It’s official. No more play on Day 1. Umpires have called stumps due to bad light and rain in Ranchi.

There has a been a steady drizzle at the ground at this point and the groundsmen are covering the entire field of play. I think we are done for the day…

Bad news!

Reports are coming in that the light has worsened and dark clouds have formed in Ranchi. Good chance that there will be no more play today.

The players are going off the field and I can’t see them coming back anytime soon.

Meanwhile, bad light in Ranchi stops play. The Indian batsmen have gone to their dressing room. Faf and his players are still sticking around.

After 58 overs,India 224/3 ( Rohit Sharma 117 , Ajinkya Rahane 83)

South Africa bowlers are not doing enough to test Rohit and Rahane. Nortje is bowling with pace but the Indian batsmen are finding it easy to play him. First ball goes for a boundary and one more single in the over.

Low and on the pads from Nortje. Rohit takes the aerial route over square-leg and finds four runs.

After 57 overs,India 219/3 ( Rohit Sharma 112 , Ajinkya Rahane 83)

Six runs from Linde’s over. Not quite sticking to a line. He’s bowling either too wide or on the pads. Rahane flicks one and gets a four. Rohit tries something similar in the final ball but the fielder makes a good save.

Fuller from Linde and Rahane flicks it perfectly for a boundary.

After 56 overs,India 213/3 ( Rohit Sharma 111 , Ajinkya Rahane 78)

Rohit Sharma is looking bit impatient. Nortje is reversing the ball and asking good questions to the batsmen. Rohit is going for the drives when there’s nothing in them. Again, good pace from the pacer. The final ball is way down the leg side. It results in a bye run.

After 55 overs,India 211/3 ( Rohit Sharma 110 , Ajinkya Rahane 78)

Linde continues. He’s bowling the leg-stump line to set batsmen. Don’t understand the thinking behind this. Rahane and Rohit are facing no problems against him. Three runs from the over.

After 54 overs,India 208/3 ( Rohit Sharma 109 , Ajinkya Rahane 76)

Anrich Nortje bowls the second over after tea. Now, he’s mixing up his pace to cause doubts in the minds of Indian batsmen. One ball is bowled at 130 kph and another one is at 147 kph. Rohit is watchful though. The last ball stays low but Rohit gets his bat down in time and takes a single.

After 53 overs,India 206/3 ( Rohit Sharma 108 , Ajinkya Rahane 75)

Decent start from Linde. Concedes just one run in the over. We’ll see how the pitch behaves in the final session. The pacers might be looking for the reverse swing and that’s where Rabada could be useful once again.

Time for the post-tea session. South Africa starting with spin. George Linde will bowl the first over of the session.

Most sixes hit in a Test series:

17 – ROHIT SHARMA v SA, 2019/20*
15 – Shimron Hetmyer v Bangladesh, 2018/19

Most centuries by openers in a calendar year in international cricket:

9 – Sachin Tendulkar, 1998

9 – Graeme Smith, 2005

9 – David Warner, 2016

9 – ROHIT SHARMA, 2019*

After 52 overs,India 205/3 ( Rohit Sharma 108 , Ajinkya Rahane 74)

Tea called!

Nortje completes the last over before closure of second session. Undoubtedly, this was India’s session. A session that may have mentally drained Proteas. They need to refill quickly in this 20-minute break and come out with a better show. Rohit’s classy ton and Rahane’s quick fifty highlight of the session.

After 51 overs,India 204/3 ( Rohit Sharma 108 , Ajinkya Rahane 73)

Linde completes a quick over. Rahane and Rohit in sheer control. Proteas still don’t how they will pick up the fourth wicket. Nothing going their way currently.

After 50 overs,India 200/3 ( Rohit Sharma 107 , Ajinkya Rahane 70)

Nortje back into the attack. SA pacers still not following Pollock’s advice and using cross seam. Still hitting the deck hard with upright seam. It is not helping much. Maybe Polly needs to step down for a while during the tea session and share his idea with his countrymen.

Most centuries by Indian openers in a Test series:

4 – Sunil Gavaskar v WI, 1970/71
4 – Sunil Gavaskar v WI, 1978/79
3 – Sunil Gavaskar v Aus, 1977/78
3 – ROHIT SHARMA v SA, 2019/20*

After 49 overs,India 200/3 ( Rohit Sharma 107 , Ajinkya Rahane 70)

We have more of Piedt left to be seen. Rahane cruises into 70s. Rohit cruising as well. SA’s small achievements are in stopping the two hitting the boundaries. Tea is only ten minutes away. A wicket here would keep the faith in Proteas.

BOSS!

In this series, Rohit has faced 81 balls of Piedt (till the end of the 46th over of this innings) and scored 106 runs with 5 boundaries and 11 sixes. Faf has to remove him from the attack and can ask someone like Dean Elgar to bowl a few overs of his left-arm spin. In the 2015 tour, he looked more than decent as a bowler.

Most tons for Indian openers in a Test series:

5 v SA, 2019/20 in India*
4 v WI, 19070/71 in West Indies
4 v WI, 1978/79 in India
4 v SL, 2009/10 in India

As Rohit hits another six to get to his third ton of this series, the groundsmen are getting ready with the covers, anticipating a possible rain threat. Meanwhile, considering the circumstances, this is arguably the best knock Rohit has played in this series so far. Class personified.

After 48 overs,India 195/3 ( Rohit Sharma 103 , Ajinkya Rahane 69)

Rabada continues. Another over goes by without a wicket. Proteas struggling to even stop the two batters from making runs. Short trackers from the bowlers have not really helped.

After 47 overs,India 191/3 ( Rohit Sharma 102 , Ajinkya Rahane 66)

Rahane and Rohit are pretty much just toying with the bowling right now. Rahane now going big and showing aggression against spinner. Think that should be it for the off spinner today after getting hit for that Rahane six.

SIX! And that’s a six from Rahane, steps out of the crease and hammer Piedt for a six to mid off, a flat one.

After 46 overs,India 184/3 ( Rohit Sharma 101 , Ajinkya Rahane 60)

This partnership and the rate at which it has been built, has sucked the juice out of visitors. We can clearly see some dropped shoulders already and we are only done with half of the day today. SA can see the same trend being followed like it all happened in first and second Test when Indians continued to dominate with the bat and put a heavy price on their wickets.

After 45 overs,India 184/3 ( Rohit Sharma 101 , Ajinkya Rahane 60)

Rohit Sharma’s phenomenal 2019 continues. Third ton in the series. Just gets better and better, ageing like a fine wine. Meanwhile we can see the ground staff ready with the covers as it has gone very cloudy over the stadium.

SIX! And that’s a top class HUNDRED from HITMAN! His third of the series and he reaches it with a massive six over mid off

After 44 overs,India 174/3 ( Rohit Sharma 92 , Ajinkya Rahane 59)

Rabada back into the attack. This is pretty much the most important spell today. If Rabada does not pick up a wicket here, it will be difficult for Proteas to stage a comeback at least in this innings. Five off the over.

FOUR! Uppish from Rahane but he was in control, as he hits it past the bowler for four runs. That was just sheer class.

After 43 overs,India 169/3 ( Rohit Sharma 91 , Ajinkya Rahane 55)

Rohit is unstoppable right now. He is not troubled by any of the bowlers currently. Just doing what he wants to do and that six off Piedt was one such example of the same. Complete dominance from Hitman. Has moved into 90s now.

SIX! That is another massive hit. Tossed up by Piedt and there was one long on fielder in place yet Rohit went for it and cleared the ropes by some distance.

After 42 overs,India 162/3 ( Rohit Sharma 84 , Ajinkya Rahane 55)

Ngidi continues. Good over from him. A maiden over from the pacer. SA need more of these maidens to put some pressure on Rohit and Rahane.

After 41 overs,India 162/3 ( Rohit Sharma 84 , Ajinkya Rahane 55)

Piedt continues and Proteas continue to suffer in hands of Rohit and Rahane, who have spent good amount of time in the middle and now scoring runs like it is a walk in the park. Rohit moves into 80s.

SIX! Here comes the big shot, tossed up and Rohit went for the big shot, cleared the long off region quite easily.

FOUR! Fine shot, fuller in length and tossed up, outside the off stump, Rahane reaches the pitch of the ball and steers it through point for four runs.

After 40 overs,India 150/3 ( Rohit Sharma 77 , Ajinkya Rahane 50)

Ngidi continues. There is no threat in his bowling currently. Rahane and Rohit in total control of things. More than half of the session over and Proteas still looking for the elusive fourth wicket. Plenty of batting remaining for India. Could be a long day in office for Proteas.

Well, 76 runs in hour for India. Both Rohit and Rahane have put their team on the driver’s seat. We have seen some glorious cricketing shots in this second session. South Africa are definitely missing Maharaj here. This pitch is tailor-made for a spinner of his quality.

After 39 overs,India 149/3 ( Rohit Sharma 76 , Ajinkya Rahane 50)

Alright, Faf turns to off-spinner Piedt. Rahane who stuck on 49 for a while, finally gets the single to reach fifty. Kohli stands and applauds in dressing room, realising the importance of this knock after India were 3 down under 40 runs. This is Rahane’s quickest fifty in India.

FIFTY for Rahane. 21st from him in Tests. Single down to mid on and he reaches the landmark. Should aim for the big one. Very quick fifty as well, came off 70 balls.

After 38 overs,India 147/3 ( Rohit Sharma 75 , Ajinkya Rahane 49)

Rohit slaps Ngidi for four runs off the second ball of the over as the pacer replaced Nortje. He flicks him for four more off his pads. Poor cricket from Proteas in Ranchi. Drinks called. They surely need some energy drink and a bit of chat from Faf.

FOUR! That’s again on the pads and Rohit just puts bat on ball and sees the ball racing away for four to fine leg.

FOUR! Piece of cake for Rohit, fullish in length and right in his arc, he creams it between cover and extra cover for four runs.

After 37 overs,India 139/3 ( Rohit Sharma 67 , Ajinkya Rahane 49)

Poor cricket from South Africa. It seems the fire has been doused. All the fuel used up in first session. Linde yet again strayed down th leg stump line and then there was a lousy fielding effort at short cover. 100-run stand up between Rahane and Rohit.

FOUR! Well, this is poor bowling, on the middle leg stump line from Linde and Rohit hits it to deep mid-wicket for boundary.

After 36 overs,India 133/3 ( Rohit Sharma 62 , Ajinkya Rahane 48)

Nortje continues. There is a short mid off in place for Rahane. The pacer needs to concentrate on fuller length deliveries around the off stump line but every now and then there is one going down the leg stump, letting both the batters score an easy single and rotating the strike. Plan is in place, implementation not so much.

FOUR! Stand and deliver, ball rises from good length to the perfect height for Rohit, who does not move, and steer it through covers for four runs.

After 35 overs,India 128/3 ( Rohit Sharma 58 , Ajinkya Rahane 47)

Linde is bowling better in second session but still needs improvement. Pitching it around the middle-off stump line and not looking to turn it big. Rohit was beaten once in his trap. He is luring him into big shots but the batsman has managed to stay in shape and collect runs. Linde needs to be more consistent with his line.

FOUR! Lovely flick again from Rohit, pitched on middle and leg, Rohit hits it to deep square leg for four

After 34 overs,India 122/3 ( Rohit Sharma 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 47)

Nortje continues. Rabada has been taken off because he was leaking runs and looked far from taking a wicket. Not the best sign for Proteas. Shaun Pollock on air suggested that it is better fast bowlers now hold the ball cross seam and bowl rather than trusting the seam after all the wear and tear the ball has gone through.

FOUR! Simple and beautiful by Rahane, he goes on back foot and them caresses it through point for four runs.

After 33 overs,India 118/3 ( Rohit Sharma 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 43)

Linde back into the attack. Better over from the left-arm bowler. Back to back maiden overs for South Africa. They need to keep the pressure tab on, on Indians.

After 32 overs,India 118/3 ( Rohit Sharma 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 43)

47 runs in 9 overs in this session so far. The numbers sum up Proteas’ bowling effort so far after lunch. Maiden over from Nortje, and this is a good start to curtail the runs. But what about wickets? Faf needs one immediately from somewhere.

The most important aspect of this Rohit innings is his determination of staying at the crease. Under trying circumstances, the way he negotiated the initial spells of Rabada, Ngidi and Nortje, laid the foundation of this knock.

After 31 overs,India 118/3 ( Rohit Sharma 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 43)

Rabada continues. The partnership is going strong between Rahane and Rohit. Rabada seems to be running out of gas suddenly. He has lost his line, bowling down the leg stump line.

Some quick runs for India since the start of the second session. With the moisture is now evaporated, the pace on this pitch has improved. Maybe the fast bowlers need to adjust their lengths a little bit.

After 30 overs,India 115/3 ( Rohit Sharma 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)

Nortje is back on. Rohit is back among runs. Fifty for him, another in this Test series. He started off shakily but settled down quickly and now looking to pile on runs. Proteas have not looked as lethal as morning session after lunch. Need to be more disciplined.

FOUR! Stylish straight drive from Rohit which brings up his fifty as well. It was pitched up bu Nortje and all that Rohit has to do was push it past the bowler with a straight bat to reach his landmark.

After 29 overs,India 111/3 ( Rohit Sharma 48 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)

Rabada continues. He has looked out of touch in this spell after lunch. Strayed on the pads and eventually the batsmen have benefited from that.

FOUR! Clipped for four runs again. Rabada trying way too much and strays on the pads, Rahane clips if for four.

FOUR! Rabada bowls it on Rahane’s leg and he clips it to fine leg region for four runs.

FOUR! Another edge off Rohit’s bat and it flies through the vacant third slip area for four runs.

After 28 overs,India 98/3 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Ajinkya Rahane 32)

Linde continues. Rahane is cautious against Linde. He has had issues against spin and is aware of that. But he does get a boundary off the last ball to release the pressure. Linde has often presented him these freebies to help his take off the pressure.

FOUR! Lovely shot, short ball and Rahane goes on back foot to hit it through covers for four runs

After 27 overs,India 92/3 ( Rohit Sharma 42 , Ajinkya Rahane 27)

Rabada continues and starts off with a ripper to Rohit, just outside the off stump, draws Rohit forward and leaves him asking for answers. Sort of deliveries which put doubts in batsman’s mind. He goes a little far from off stump in next two deliveries. Bowls a no-ball, which means he is overdoing it. Rohit was on and off with his foot movement in this over. Rabada needs to be more consistent on that line.

Well played, you both! 

After 26 overs,India 91/3 ( Rohit Sharma 42 , Ajinkya Rahane 27)

Linde continues. He begins again with a half tracker. Rahane collects two off it. Much better from the left-arm spinner from thereon. Made Rahane defend a lot, targeting the middle-off stump line.

After 25 overs,India 89/3 ( Rohit Sharma 42 , Ajinkya Rahane 25)

As expected, Rabada is back into the attack after lunch. He bowled seven overs on the run in his first spell and got some rest. SA cannot wait more to get the fourth Indian wicket. But Rahane has taken him on with three boundaries in the over.

FOUR! That races away for four runs as well, Rahane opens the face of the blade and the ball runs to third man for four runs.

FOUR! This will hurt, second boundary of the over. Edge off Rahane’s bat, flies between first and second slip for four runs. Rabada could do nothing about it.

FOUR! Superb shot from Rahane, Rabada fires on into Rahane’s pads and he used the wrist to steer it to square leg boundary.

After 24 overs,India 76/3 ( Rohit Sharma 42 , Ajinkya Rahane 12)

Linde continues after Lunch. Rahane gets room to cut the ball and collect one. Has been on shorter side Linde in this over. Needs to get slightly fuller. Rohit collects four in the off side and moves into 40s. Five off the over.

FOUR! Pitched short by Linde and Rohit drives it through the covers for four runs

Finally we have seen an intense contest between the bat and ball in this series. With three wickets, it has been South Africa’s session without any doubt. Their pacers have lifted their game and complemented each other brilliantly. Now, the spinners need to back them up in the coming sessions. For India, it is all about rebuilding the innings and get to something around 320-350 in the first innings, which should test this struggling South African batting on this dry surface.

After 23 overs,India 71/3 ( Rohit Sharma 38 , Ajinkya Rahane 11)

Good last over before lunch for India in terms of runs. Rohit pierces the gap on the legside and collects three runs in the second ball. Then he smashes a six over fine-leg boundary to move to 38 from 68 balls.  

And that’s lunch on Day 1 of the third Test.

Well directed bouncer from Anrich Nortje but Rohit’s pull has taken the ball outside the boundary line for six. Confident shot from the Indian opener.

After 22 overs,India 61/3 ( Rohit Sharma 29 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

George Linde, left arm spinner comes into the attack for the first time in Tests. He starts off with good six deliveries. Tight line and on the stumps to Rohit. A chance is created in the third ball when Rohit pushes the ball towards leg-side. Hamza puts down a tough chance at short-leg. Just one run from the over.

Following an excellent outing in the Caribbean, Rahane is having an average series against the Proteas – just one 50 plus knock in three innings prior to this Test. Today he needs to stay out there and bail his team out of this difficult situation. Meanwhile at the other end, Rohit is battling it out with an approach, which is contrasting to his normal flamboyant batsmanship. Feel, this pitch is ideal for judging his temperament as a Test cricketer.

After 21 overs,India 60/3 ( Rohit Sharma 28 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Bit of a tough over for Rahane. He’s beaten in the fourth ball when he goes to play a delivery which he has no business in playing. And then gets an outside edge and collects four runs off the final ball. Earlier, Rohit smashes a boundary and then takes a single. Eventful over from Ngidi. 

Edge and four. Not a confident shot from Rahane but he gets the runs.

Rohit’s pull is out again. Poor from Ngidi and Rohit makes sure he punishes the bad ball over square leg.

After 20 overs,India 51/3 ( Rohit Sharma 23 , Ajinkya Rahane 6)

Nothing significant from Nortje’s sixth over. Just two runs from six balls. Rahane nudges the second ball to the wide of gully and collects two. His spell reads 
six overs, one maiden, one big wicket and conceded 18 runs.

After 19 overs,India 49/3 ( Rohit Sharma 23 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Targetting Rohit’s pads almost worked for Ngidi. After conceding a boundary in the first ball, the pacer comes back well. He almost beats Rohit’s bat with a inducker in the fourth ball. Rohit commits to frontfoot and gets an inside edge, which results in two runs.

On the legs again from Ngidi and Rohit flicks it well for a four through deep mid-wicket.

After 18 overs,India 43/3 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Another decent from Anrich Nortje to Rahane. The Indian vice-captain is timing the ball really well but he just can’t find the gaps. Rahane thrives when’s he confident so let’s wait and watch how his innings will turn out.

After 17 overs,India 43/3 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Lungi Ngidi continues his spell. He’s trying to beat Rohit through his legs but he’s missing the pace that is required to beat a good batsman. Rohit is doing well against deliveries right on the stumps. A lot of responsibility on his shoulders now.

Virat Kohli as a maiden Test wicket,

Kagiso Rabada, Mohali, 2015 

Alzarri Joseph, Antigua, 2016

Senuran Muthusamy, Vizag, 2019

Anrich Nortje, Ranchi, 2019*

After 16 overs,India 43/3 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

A very successful over from Anrich Nortje. He didn’t start good but now he makes the amends by removing the dangerous Kohli. Bowls the first ball fuller and wide and then nips back in surprise Kohli. Rahane comes to the field and he’s quickly off the mark. Nortje bowls on his legs two times and Rahane takes two runs on both the times.

OUT! WHAT A WICKET! India captain Virat Kohli is dismissed LBW. Inswinger from Anrich Nortje and Kohli’s bat is nowhere near the ball. The umpire gives it out straightaway. Kohli consults with Rohit and takes the DRS. Replay shows umpire’s call as the ball hits the leg stump. Kohli lbw b Anrich Nortje 12(22)

After 15 overs,India 39/2 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Good over for India. Kohli takes a single in the second ball and then Rohit followed it up with a good short-arm pull for a boundary. Ngidi bowls at his legs in the final ball but Rohit does well to push it to the mid-wicket area for two more runs.

Proteas aren’t doing badly in Ranchi, by the way!

Shot but no real pace from Ngidi. Rohit brings out his pull and succeeds in finding the boundary at deep mid-wicket.

After 14 overs,India 32/2 ( Rohit Sharma 11 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Kohli takes two off Nortje’s first ball. Pitched outside off and the Indian captain pushes the ball in the covers region to run two. Goes for a little risky single on the off-side in the fourth ball. That’s what he does. Kohli always looks for runs. Always on the go. No runs from the last two balls.

After 13 overs,India 29/2 ( Rohit Sharma 11 , Virat Kohli (C) 8)

Probably the last over for Rabada in this spell. Decent from the pacer except for the bouncer, which he fails to execute and gives away four runs. On any other day, Rohit Sharma could’ve gone back to pavilion but he’s surviving so far. He survives Rabada. Maybe, he’ll make it count.   

Time for drinks.

All of a sudden, the light has faded away drastically. Things are looking a bit gloomy here. No immediate threat of rain though but there is a fair bit of cloud cover at this moment. These are not the ideal conditions, if you are batting on that tricky surface.

Short and on the leg-side. Rohit goes for the pull, didn’t quite get the contact. Ball hits his gloves and goes for a four.

After 12 overs,India 25/2 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Virat Kohli (C) 8)

Bad over from Anrich Nortje. After Rabada does so well to create the pressure, Nortje couldn’t keep up and bowls two bad deliveries which result in two fours. Virat Kohli knows a thing or two of hitting bad balls to boundaries. Eight runs from the over.

Again down the leg. Angling into the pads and Kohli plays a good shot to send the ball to the fine-leg boundary.

Down the legside from Nortje and Virat takes full advantage, Guides the ball down to the fine-leg for a four.

After 11 overs,India 17/2 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

OUT! oh wait no! Rohit survives because of an inside edge. Again, the ball from Rabada nips back in but Rohit gets his bat down in time.  He starts off with an outswinger and then bowls an inswinger which results in the appeal. The last two balls were just too good for Rohit. Outswing and bounce to beat Rohit’s bat on both the occasions. Goodness, looks like he can take a wicket with every ball.

More good wishes for Nadeem!

Ducks for Cheteshwar Pujara in home Tests:

v Australia, Dharamsala, 2017
v South Africa, Ranchi, 2019*

Last time Pujara batted in a Test match in Ranchi, he played 525 balls and scored a match saving double hundred. However, this time his innings has lasted for just nine deliveries and he has failed to open his account. Cricket is such a leveller!

Meanwhile, at the fag end of the series, the South African attack is finally making its presence felt.

After 10 overs,India 17/2 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Anrich Nortje comes into the attack. No swing from the right-arm fast bowler but it’s a tight over. Not offering any room to Kohli and sticking to the good length areas. Just one run from his first over.

After 9 overs,India 16/2 ( Rohit Sharma 6 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

What an over from Rabada. In fact, what a spell! When the talk was all about the pitch being a rank-turner, Rabada produces a superb bowling effort to dismantle India. After dismissing Pujara, he welcomes Kohli with a good bouncer. Indians are feeling the pressure and it will be an interesting battle to watch.

Another ripper from Rabada and Pujara goes back to the pavilion. This one comes in and hits Pujara’s pads. The on-field umpire says no but South Africa waste no time in reviewing the decision. All three reds so that’s out. A big gap between bat and pad. Pujara lbw b Rabada 0(9)

After 8 overs,India 16/1 ( Rohit Sharma 6 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Rohit goes for the cut in the third ball but misses it completely. He’s not looking that confident this morning. Ngidi bowls a good final ball but it races away for a four after taking the outside edge. The ball splits the gap between gully and backward point.

Outside off from Ngidi and it’s takes a thick outside edge off Rohit’s bat for a four down the gully.

After 7 overs,India 12/1 ( Rohit Sharma 2 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Strong appeal from Rabada after Pujara is struck on the legs with a fuller delivery. Rabada looks confident but umpire says no. Faf also refuses to go upstairs for the review. Hawk Eye shows it to be going over the stumps, so it’s good call. Again, Rabada mixes up his over really well with outswingers and straight balls. No runs in the over.

Rohit Sharma-Cheteshwar Pujara last four stands in Tests:

169, 45, 30, 55

Rabada has been superb with the new ball today. He is using the lack of bounce to his advantage and bowling a proving line and length. Not a bad start this for South Africa after losing the crucial toss. But unlike Pune, can they maintain this pressure here?

After 6 overs,India 12/1 ( Rohit Sharma 2 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Ngidi beats Rohit’s edge with his first ball. It keeps low and angles in so tough, tough delivery for Rohit to negotiate. Almost a wicket again for South Africa. After a good start, Ngidi can’t maintain his line in the rest of the deliveries. Too wide from him in the follow-up balls. Still, he doesn’t concede any runs from the over.

After 5 overs,India 12/1 ( Rohit Sharma 2 , )

Class from Rabada. It would’ve been a pity if he didn’t wickets for his spell. But his efforts are rewarded and he removes Mayank Agarwal with a good delivery. Just the right line and length to get his man. A boundary and a wicket from the over.

We are in the first session of Day 1 of this Test and there is a serious lack of bounce on this surface. Rabada and Ngidi – two genuine fast bowlers are bowling here yet the ball is hardly carrying to de Kock behind the stumps. This is an ominous sign for South Africa.

GONE! Rababa gets his reward. He has been really impressive so far. Pitched full, Mayank comes forward for the defence but the ball takes an edge and carries through to Elgar at third slip. Agarwal c Elgar b Rabada 10(19)

Well played Mayank! On the chest from Rabada but Mayank goes inside the crease and it takes an inside edge. Races away to the gully boundary.

After 4 overs,India 7/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 6 , Rohit Sharma 1)

Unlike Rabada, Ngidi is sticking to one line. Outside off-stump, trying to force a drive from the openers. The fourth ball keeps low and beats Mayank. Now, this is interesting. It’s just first few overs on the opening day and pitch is already acting up? 

No runs from the over.

Shahbaz Nadeem interview: ‘I am at the door, the performance is there, just need luck to break it open’

Nadeem spoke to Firstpost in August and spoke on his wait for national call up among other things. Read this interview by Jigar Mehta here.

After 3 overs,India 7/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 6 , Rohit Sharma 1)

Rabada mixing it up really well. His first ball is a ripper just outside the off-stumps, which beats Rohit with swing and a bit of bounce. He bowls another out-swinger in the fourth ball after two deliveries on the legs. It’s a maiden from the pacer.

After 2 overs,India 7/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 6 , Rohit Sharma 1)

Lungi Ngidi shares the new ball with Rabada. Not much swing from him in his first over. Rohit Sharma takes a single in the second ball, which angles in and the batsman nudges it towards the square leg. No runs from the rest of the deliveries.

After 1 overs,India 6/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 6 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Bit of swing for Kagiso Rabada. Overpitched and outside off-stump and the ball just moves away as Mayank Agarwak brings his bat down. The second ball is bowled on the stumps and Agarwal takes a double. He scores the first boundary of the Test in the four ball, with a push towards the gully region. Again, Rabada generates outswing but fails to control the ball. No runs from the last deleveries.

First boundary of the Test. Outswinger from Rabada and Agarwal opens the face of the bat and the ball rushes towards the gully region for a boundary.

From South Africa’s point of view, eyes will be on the 24-year Cape Cobra batsman Zubayr Hamza, who is replacing Aiden Markram in the XI today. He first came into the limelight at the age of 19, when he scored a First-Class double hundred and became the fourth youngest South African cricketer to do so. Hamza has been around for a while and earlier this year he made his Test debut against Pakistan.

So the Indian openers are walking to the middle. A lot of talk about the nature of the pitch. Experts are predicting the track to be a rank-turner so India are favourites to clinch the Test. That means South Africa will have to go back home after a 3-0 series defeat. Not something Faf du Plessis and his team will like it but things can change. We never know. 

Also, not many people in the stands so that’s a disappointment.

For South Africa, Zubayr Hamza and Dane Piedt also make their way to the playing XI. Hamza replaces Theunis de Bruyn at the top order and Piedt comes in for Kesha Maharaj. Lungi Ngidi also finds himself in the XI. He replaces Vernon Philander. 

As many as five changes!

South Africa XI: Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), George Linde, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

Having lost nine tosses back to back in subcontinent, Faf said in his pre-match presser here that he would send his proxy. And today he did came with Temba Bavuma. But unfortunately the luck is not in their favour as Virat has once again won the toss and South Africa will bat fourth on this dry pitch.

India XI: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha( wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.

Faf du Plessis tries something different today to change his toss luck. He brings in Temba Bavuma as proxy skipper for toss but unfortunately, it doesn’t change their luck at all. Aiden Markram is out. Quinton de Kock will open the batting for Proteas. Heinrich Klaasen comes in as the wicket-keeper and spinner George Linde makes his Test debut.

South Africa have now lost 10 consecutive tosses in Asia. Moreover, Faf du Plessis have now lost seven consecutive tosses in away Tests.

Toss time: Virat Kohli wins the toss once again and elects to bat first. Just one change for India. Shahbhaz Nadeem, the local lad, will make his debut today. Ishant Sharma has been rested.

Shabaz Nadeem becomes the 296th player to make a debut for India in Tests. He has taken 424 wickets in FC cricket while taking 50-plus wickets in each 2015-16 (51) and 2016-17 (56) Ranji Trophy.

Nadeem gets his Test cap!

What. A. Moment.

Pitch report: This pitch will turn a lot more than first two Test matches. Already there are plenty of cracks and they’re quite loose as well, which means it will crumble, So batting will not be easy. According to Sunil Gavaskar, the pitch is made for spinners.

Nice chilly morning here in Ranchi and the big news is, local boy Shahbhaz Nadeem will make his international debut today. The 30-year old has been given the cap during the team hurdle.

Nadeem has been a consistent performer at the domestic as well as India A level for a while now. In fact, since the 2015-16 season, the left-armer has taken 144 wickets in the Ranji Trophy at an astounding average of 23.8 – most by anyone else during the same time-frame.

Finally, he is getting his reward.

Shahbaz Nadeem to make his Test debut at Ranchi!

He has quit longest format five years back but local boy Mahendra Singh Dhoni is expected to watch the third and final Test against South Africa beginning on Saturday, his manager Mihir Diwakar confirmed. Click here to read more.

Former captain Sourav Ganguly can bring about a lot of improvements in Indian cricket as BCCI president, national team wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha said on Friday. Read the full story here .

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has been rewarded for his stupendous show on the domestic circuit with a call-up in the Indian Test squad after Kuldeep Yadav was ruled out due to a shoulder injury.Read more here .

Virat Kohli’s words after the end of the Pune Test sent a scary reminder to the South African dressing room of the fire-breathing dragon that this Indian team has become. It sends an ominous signal to an already battered South African side that they might be in for more embarrassment if they continue performing the same way.

Read the full preview of third Test by Jigar Mehta here .

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first day of the third Test between India and South Africa at the JSCA Stadium Complex in Ranchi. After winning the first two Tests by convincing margins at Visakhapatnam and Pune respectively, a rampaging Virat Kohli-led Indian team will hope to inflict a clean sweep on the touring South Africans.

We will get you all the updates from day’s play so stay tuned.