1. Ashwin Strikes Early
India’s lead bowler R Ashwin got into the act straight away in the first session of the day. The off-spinner dismissed Dean Elgar in just the fourth over for 18 and then five overs later, he got the big wicket of AB de Villiers Out for 9.
Elgar had come out with a positive intent in the morning, hitting a six off Ashwin two deliveries before he inside-edged a ball to Cheteshwar Pujara.
It was a nightmarish Test match for AB de Villiers. After getting out for a duck in the first innings, De Villiers looked determined to play a big innings but he faltered to the turning ball once again.
2. AB de Villiers Kept Quiet
The Superman from South Africa couldn’t get going in the third Test. Even though India set a big target of 310 runs, with De Villiers in the Proteas camp, anything could have happened.
Fortunately for the Indians, the 31-year-old misjudged the turn of the ball and got himself out LBW for 9.
De Villiers was the only South African batsman who seemed comfortable in the first Test at Mohali. Therefore his wicket in this series is even more prized than usual.
3. Amla-Du Plessis Marathon Stand
Most of the pundits called an easy day-out for the Indian spinners on day 3 but it was not to be. Skipper Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis put on a marathon partnership of 72 runs which spanned over almost 50 overs.
Both of them resorted to classical batting. They made sure their bat and pad were together and leaned forward for every delivery.
Hashim Amla was looking like he was not even going to make one mistake in the day but a little extra bounce from Amit Mishra got the better of the captain who fell for 39 from 167 balls.
4. Mishra’s Double Blow
India’s dark horse Amit Mishra removed both Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessi to get India back in the driver’s seat.
After deceiving Amla with extra bounce, he got Du Plessis out with a delivery with low bounce.
Du Plessis misjudged the bounce and got bowled for a well made 39.
Amit Mishra has been chipping in wickets when the Indian captain Virat Kohli desperately needed a breakthrough.
5. Ashwin Gets 12 To Sweep Series
Any doubt on who India’s stand-out bowler has been this series? Well with six wickets out of the eight that fell on Day 3, Ravi Ashwin undoubtedly takes those honours.
A total of 12 scalps falling to his guile in the match and Ashwin has his 4th 10-wicket haul. The spinner picking up the last wicket of the match to collect 55 wickets in just 8 outings in white this year.
Ashwin is now India’s highest wicket-taker in the format this year, a great many leaps ahead of Mishra in second with 22.
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