South Africa ended Day 3 at 385 for eight, trailing India by 117 runs in the Visakhapatnam Test on Friday, 4 October.
Opener Dean Elgar and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock led South Africa’s first-innings fightback with centuries.
In the post-Tea session, Elgar – who became the first South Africa to score a century in India since 2010 – was dismissed for 160 courtesy a stunning catch by Cheteshwar Pujara off a ball by spinner Ravindra Jadeja.
De Kock followed him back to the hut after getting cleaned up by R Ashwin for 111, reducing the visitors to 370/7, still trailing India by 132 runs.
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Vernon Philander for a duck to claim his 27th five-wicket haul.
Elgar-de Kock Stitch 164-Run Stand
Elgar and de Kock combined to stitch a 164-run stand after the dismissal of captain Faf du Plessis.
Before South Africa took Tea at 292/5, Elgar had got to the three-figure mark off 176 balls. De Kock on the other hand, had scored his 18th Test fifty off 79 deliveries.
Earlier in the second session of the day, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got a big breakthrough, removing South Africa captain Faf du Plessis for 55.
Du Plessis, Elgar Stitch 115-Run Stand
Du Plessis and opener Dean Elgar steadied South Africa’s innings with a 115-run partnership on Friday, 4 October.
The visitors had taken lunch at 153/4, trailing India by 349 runs, with du Plessis (48*) and Elgar (76*) at the crease.
Ishant Sharma picked the sole wicket in the morning session.
Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma started the day on the overnight score of 39/3 but just 24 runs later, Ishant trapped Bavuma in front of the wickets and had the batsman walking on 18.
Bavuma did contemplate asking for a review but a quick chat with his partner and he decided against it. As he walked back into the dressing room, South African skipper Faf du Plessis walked out to bat.
On the second ball of the day, Dean Elgar had survived a scare in the searing hot conditions when he edged an Ishant Sharma delivery, but was lucky enough for it to pass between the slips and cross the boundary line.
South Africa are chasing India’s 502/7d and lost 3 wickets in the final session on Day 2 with Aiden Markram (5), Theunis de Bruyn (4) and night watchman Dane Piedt (0) getting packed off by the spin of R Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja.
Earlier on Day 2, Mayank Agarwal had converted his maiden Test hundred into a brilliant double as India tried to ensure they don’t come out to bat again in this Test.
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