During the third day of the second Test of the ongoing South Africa tour of India in Pune, India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin gave India a crucial breakthrough by dismissing South Africa wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock a few overs before lunch.
It all happened on the last delivery of the 38th over when Ashwin’s delivery pitched on the middle-stump but turned sharply to hit the top of off-stumps. Completely bamboozled by what happened to him, de Kock remained in an unconvinced state, expecting that India’s wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha’s gloves dislodged the bails.
Coming in to bat at No. 7 in the 22nd over, de Kock ended up scoring 31 (48) with the help of seven fours. de Kock shared an impressive 75-run partnership for the sixth wicket with captain Faf du Plessis.
While the pair played really well, South Africa needed more from their batting unit especially after the hosts posted 601/5 in 156.3 overs. At lunch on Day 3, South Africa are reeling at 136/6 in 42 overs. Having scored a half-century, du Plessis is currently batting alongside all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy.
While it was Ashwin’s first wicket, India has been bolstered by the performance of their fast bowlers in Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami who have taken three and two wickets respectively.
