3rd Test: Chasing 241, South Africa 17/1 on uneven Wanderers pitch

Indian Captain Virat Kohli R and bowler Mohammed Shami 3R celebrate the dismissal of South African batsman Aiden Markram not in picture during the third day of the third test match between South Africa and India at Wanderers cricket ground on January 26 2018 in Johannesburg Pic AFPSouth Africa reached 171 after play was called off with the condition of the pitch being discussed on the third day on Friday here after India setup a target of 241 for the hosts to win the third and final Test Due to the odd and uneven bounce play was called off as both the captains Indias Virat Kohli and South Africas Faf du Plessis discussed the issue with match referee Andy Pyrcroft with close to 30 minutes left on the days play at the New Wanderers StadiumThe field umpires discussed the issue more than five times during the day even during the Indian innings of 247 all out with cracks appearing on the surface On a few occasions the ball apparently kept low The umpires however discussed the matter with much more seriousness when South African leftarm opening batsman Dean Elgar 11 batting was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah But it was a short delivery and climbed up to an usual height But some of the back of length deliveries got odd bounce and struck on the bodies of the visiting and home batsmenIt will be up to the match officials whether to continue playing on the pitch or call off the match terming the pitch dangerous Hashim Amla 2 batting and Elgar were at the pitch for the hosts who lost the opening wicket of Aiden Markram 4 who edged a bouncer from Mohammed Shami behind Earlier in the day India put up a gutsy show with the bat before being bowled out for 247 Ajinkya Rahane 48 Virat Kohli 41 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar 33 were the key contributors for India who have already lost the first two matchesSouth African pacers Morne Morkel Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada picked up three wickets each Resuming the day at 491 India had a torrid start losing Lokesh Rahul 16 and Cheteshwar Pujara 1 early to be reduced to 573 Rahul failed to add to his overnight score as he chased an awaymoving ball from paceman Vernon Philander only managing an edge which landed in the hands of Faf du Plessis at second slip Pujara 1 too fell soon edging a good length delivery from pacer Morne Morkel to du PlessisKohli then joined hands with overnight batsman Murali Vijay 25 as the pair looked to weather the storm on a lively wicket Kohli at the personal score of four gave a difficult chance for the hosts to pick up the fourth wicket He flicked Morkel straight into the hands of short leg fielder Aiden Markram who was not quick enough to pouch it Later Kohli showed his quality playing with a straight bat and not fearing to go for the drivesVijay at the other end was resolute backing his defensive technique to the hilt It seemed that the partnership between Vijay and Kohli will see off the morning session But Vijay saw his stumps dismantled by a yorker from Kagiso Rabada as India reached 100 for four at lunch Rahane who was dropped in the initial two Tests raising questions on the Indian team selection shone bright in the second session while Kohli perished for 41Rabada produced a back of length delivery which ended up hitting Kohlis off stump Hardik Pandya 4 had himself to blame for a poor shot selection off a length delivery which ended back into the safe arms of Rabada as India lost their sixth wicket for 148 Rahane then forged a crucial 55run stand with Bhuvneshwar for the seventh wicket to take India beyond the 200run mark Mumbaikar Rahane played aggressive cricket scoring briskly to put the hosts under pressure He hit six fours out of the 68 deliveries he facedRahane also got a lucky escape in the 60th over when a catch was put down by Andile Phehlukwayo off a delivery from Rabada However the partnership was ended by Rahane soft dismissal The righthander flicked Morkel only managing an edge to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock Among the other tailenders Mohammed Shami scored a crucial 27 as India were bowled out for 247Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go