IND vs SA, 1st Test, Day 3: Elgar-de Kock COUNTER ATTACKING Partnership Powers Proteas To 292-5 At Tea

After the initial stutter, the Proteas recovery on Day 3 was led by a brilliant ton by opener Dean Elgar and fluent half tons by skipper Faf Du Plessis (55) and wicket-keeper batsman Quinton De Kock. At tea, Elgar was batting at 133 and De Kock was unbeaten at 69.

South Africa dug themselves out of a big hole to stage a massive recovery and post 292 for 5 at Tea on Day 3 of the opening Test at Visakhapatnam. The visitors still trail the Indians by 210 runs. The Proteas recovery was led by a brilliant ton by opener Dean Elgar and fluent half tons by skipper Faf Du Plessis (55) and wicket-keeper batsman Quinton De Kock. At tea, Elgar was batting at 133 and skipper De Kock was unbeaten at 69.

Final session | SA 297-5 after 89 overs Right, the final session is underway, it's gloomy and the ball is starting to nip around. 2 set batsmen at crease for South Africa. Big session of cricket ahead#ProteaFire #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/LWWBACIl97

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 4, 2019

After South Africa were tottering at 68 for 4, Elgar showed tremendous grit, composure and temperament to occupy the crease for longer spells of time and stitched handy partnerships with skipper Faf Du Plessis and Quinton De Kock. The Du Plessis- De Kock partnership was the second century partnership in the Proteas innings. After skipper Du Plessis was dismissed by off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, De Kock joined Elgar to step up the scoring rate by attacking the Indian pacers and bring up his maiden half ton against India. Earlier in the day, resuming on their overnight score of 39 for 3 , South Africa were dealt an opening blow with Ishant Sharma sending Temba Bavuma back to the pavilion. India ended Day 2 on a commanding position after racking up a monumental 502-7 in their first innings. The Indian batting display was spearheaded by double centurion Mayank Agarwal. Agarwal was only the third Indian to covert his maiden ton to a double century. Rohit Sharma also made a handy contribution with his maiden ton as Test Opener. After the terrific batting display, the Indian spinners came to the party by making quick inroads into the South African top order.  R Ashwin accounted for Aiden Markram with a beauty of a delivery and sent back Theunis de Bruyn in quick succession. Ravindra Jadeja then left the Proteas in dire straits at when he clean bowled Dane Piedt. India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 3 TEA Brief Scores  South Africa - 292-5 (88.2) Dean Elgar - 133, De Kock - 69 R Ashwin - 3 for 101