Published 15:33 IST, October 19th 2019
Ind vs SA: Bad light halts play as India cruise to 224 3 after tea
The third match between India and South Africa was stopped shortly after tea due to bad light and rains as Rohit Sharma & Ajinkya Rahane frustrated the bowlers
Update: Play called off for Day one as rains continue in Ranchi. The game will resume on Day two on Sunday.
The third test match between India and South Africa was stopped shortly after tea due to bad light and rains, as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane frustrated the Proteas bowlers. After three early scalps in the day, South Africa's bowling attack struggled to bowl to Rohit Sharma and Rahane as the two built a crucial partnership of 185 runs, helping India recover from an early collapse. While Rohit Sharma raced to his sixth Test century, equalling Sunil Gavaskar's record of scoring the most number of centuries in a series, Ajinkya Rahane looked poised to get to his ton before bad light halted play on Day one at Ranchi. India were at 224-3 when the game was stopped with Rohit Sharma on 117 and Ajinkya Rahane on 83.
Bad light halts play on Day one
Rohit Sharma scores third ton in this series
Rohit Sharma's hope to replicate his form from the first Test continued to head in the right way as the star opener brought up his sixth Test ton on Day one in Ranchi. After losing their top-order batsmen early in the day, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane stitched a crucial hundred plus runs partnership, steadying India's innings after an early collapse. Rohit Sharma raced to his third ton in this series with a fast-paced knock studded with 13 boundaries and four sixes. With his sixth Test ton, Rohit Sharma has also completed 2000 runs in the longer format of the game. Rohit Sharma brought up his century in style with a six.
Proteas pace shakes India's top-order
South Africa's pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje wreaked havoc through India's top-order as they grabbed three scalps in the first session of the third Test in Ranchi. Kagiso Rabada picked up the two important scalps of opener Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara while Anrich Nortje managed to trap skipper Virat Kohli for an lbw. All eyes are now on the Hit Man Rohit Sharma, who will look to replicate the knocks of his dream Test debut in the third and final Test. South Africa made five changes to their side after losing the second contest by a mammoth margin to India. Virat Kohli, who elected to bat first in Ranchi, called it a 'no brainer' to bat first in the third and final Test, as India will hope to complete the whitewash and extend their lead at the top of the Test Championship.
Updated 15:59 IST, October 19th 2019