IND vs SA, 3rd Test: ‘Dominant’ South Africa Go For Lunch With India Reeling At 71/3

Lethal Rabada bagged 2 sticks while debutante Nortje got his first Test wicket in form of none other than skipper Virat Kohli

A remarkable bowling performance by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have put South Africa in command and left team India reeling at 71/3 at Lunch on opening day of the third Test at Ranchi. A super bowling effort by Proteas ensured that team India got off to a horrid start in the first session. Lethal Rabada bagged 2 sticks while debutante Nortje got his first Test wicket in form of none other than skipper Kohli. South African seamer Lungi Ngidi partnered with Kagiso Rabada to start the proceedings with new ball against India batters. Rabada made the new 'red cherry' talk by bowling brilliant outswingers with some extra bounce. South Africa got their first wicket early morning, courtesy Rabada's consistency with the new ball that helped him get in-form opener Mayank Agarwal (10) nick one to Elgar at third-slip. Despite an early breakthrough, Proteas opening pair of bowlers continued disciplined bowling and it paid off as lethal paceman Rabada struck for the second time to dismiss 'specialist' Pujara for a duck. A review taken by skipper Faf showed Rabada trapped Pujara in front of the stumps.

South Africa snared three big wickets in the first session of day one of the Ranchi Test.

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane take India to 71/3 at lunch. #INDvSA LIVE 👇https://t.co/AEYe6hGC3o pic.twitter.com/j5JhNZa6Ya — ICC (@ICC) October 19, 2019

With India at 17/2 and Rohit and Virat in the middle, South Africa thought they had the big wicket of Rohit Sharma but the review taken by star opener revealed an inside edge. After losing two early wickets, Kohli and Rohit battled it out to relieve some pressure against a much-improved bowling attack to help India reach 29/2 after 13 overs. However, just few balls later, Nortje dismissed India skipper Virat Kohli (12 off 22 balls) for his first Test wicket. Kohli's dismissal brought Rahane on the crease with team India in a spot of bother. Team India got past the fifty-run mark with Rohit Sharma playing himself in after a hard fought battle in the during a testing first session. With India batting on 60/3 after 21 overs, skiper Faf turned to spin by introducing debutant George Linde into the bowling attack.