South Africa vs India 3rd Test, Day 2: 5 things we learnt from the day

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Hashim Amla's gritty half-century gave South Africa a slender lead

A steely, calm, composed knock from Hashim Amla and a counter-attacking 35 from Vernon Philander pushed South Africa to a seven-run lead post tea on day 2 of the third Test. But any advantage their batsmen had given was wiped off by some poor bowling by their seamers late in the day as India raced off to 49/1 by stumps.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada withstood for 84 balls while Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent back Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers, the latter with a sensational inswinger. After Jasprit Bumrah sent back Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, it seemed like India would get a lead but Amla and Philander thwarted those plans with contrasting styles of batting.

Bumrah finished with a maiden five-for, cleaning up the tail after he had Amla caught in the deep. India lost makeshift opener, Parthiv Patel, early but saw off further damage with South Africa bowling bizarre wide lines.

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