IND vs SA, 1st Test, Day 3: Proteas Post 153-4 At Lunch After Elgar, Du Plessis Stage Gritty Fightback

Skipper Faf Du Plessis then joint well settled opener Dean Elgar to help rebuild the Proteas innings by stitching together a handy partnership for the fifth wicket.

South Africa staged a gritty fightback against the India in the morning session on Day 3 of the first Test at Visakapatnam to post 153-4 at lunch. At lunch, opener Dean Elgar was batting at 76, while skipper Faf Du Plessis was unbeaten at 48. The Proteas who were tottering with three wickets down at end of  Day 2, got off to the worst possible start on Day 3 as Temba Bavuma (18) was trapped leg before wicket by seasoned seamer Ishant Sharma. At 63-4, Skipper Faf Du Plessis then joined the well settled opener Dean Elgar to help rebuild the Proteas innings by stitching together a handy partnership for the fifth wicket. The duo took the hosts past the 100-run mark with Dean Elgar bringing up his half century. Skipper Du Plessis took his time to settle down but once he got his eye in, he stepped up the scoring rate at the stroke of lunch. Elgar was once again defiant in his trademark style, occupying the crease for long spells with hid dodged defence and well organised technique. 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, Ist Test, Day 3 Brief Scores  South Africa - 153-4 At Lunch Dean Elgar - 76, Faf Du Plessis - 48 Ravichandran Ashwin 2-51