South Africa vs India 2018: 2nd Test, Day 3, 5 things we learnt from the day

A majestic 153 from Virat Kohli and a counter-attacking 38 from Ravichandran Ashwin provided India with a much-needed morale boost and helped them reduce the first innings deficit. Ashwin and Kohli survived a rip-roaring spell from Kagiso Rabada in the scorching heat but couldn't quite carry on after the new ball was taken.

Jasprit Bumrah plucked out two in no time as South Africa stumbled to 3/2 and Ashwin's sharp turn and bounce proved to be too much for Dean Elgar, who appeared clueless against the off-spinner. But any doubts about India staging a spectacular comeback was dispelled when de Villiers, in his own very special way, flayed the bowlers to help South Africa to 90/2 at stumps on Day 3.

#5 Lousy running costs India

An alert fielding unit, South Africa ran Pandya out early in the day

It was a test by fire for Hardik Pandya. They needed the all-rounder to stay put with Virat Kohli on Day 3 and stitch together a fine partnership. As the Indian skipper looked in fabulous touch from the word go, Pandya played the supporting role to perfection until a moment of madness saw his swagger wane off.

He pushed the ball to mid-on and took off for a single only to be denied by Kohli. The Baroda all-rounder, who was electrifying in the field, then casually strolled back to the crease as Vernon Philander took aim and threw the stumps down. Although it seemed like Pandya had made his ground in real-time, replays showed that he hadn't ground his bat and the schoolboy error resulted in a bonus wicket for the Proteas.

#4 The Ashwin - Rabada battle

Ashwin played some ridiculously good shots in a spirited knock. credits: Cricket country

Ashwin walked out to a steaming Kagiso Rabada armed with an old ball. The no.1 Test bowler constantly peppered him with a late swing into him before changing the tactic and opting to go short quickly. While it had the off-spinner in a tangle a couple of times, he started going into the counter-attacking mode and the boundaries came thick and fast.

He hit Rabada for a hat-trick of boundaries at one point after the tall seamer had mixed the short ball with full ones. The seamer came back storming, though, with a sensational next over that nearly got rid of Ashwin. The off-spinner was lucky to survive Rabada's searing spell under the scorching sun.

He made 38 in a 71 run stand with Kohli before he was dismissed by Vernon Philander in the first ball he faced against the new ball.

#3 Virat Kohli special takes India close

Kohli was unforgiving and smothered the Proteas attack

Virat Kohli was just in one of those moods where he would middle anything and everything. Armed with a positive mindset and intent, the Indian skipper took the attack to the Proteas, aided by a spirited Ravichandran Ashwin, and soon enough completed a 21st Test hundred. He was relentless against pace and spin, constantly looking to score runs and egging on his partner with persistent chatter.

The South Africa bowlers appeared clueless against Kohli and Rabada resorted to attacking with words but to no avail. When the new ball was taken, Kohli was quick to showcase that he meant to dig into it by smothering a drive off Philander for four. He stood tall amidst India's ruins and batted with the tail before being the last man out at 153.

#2 Bumrah opens up Centurion cracks

Bumrah hit the right length to generate variable bounce

With just a slender lead of 28, South Africa wanted to take the fight to the Indians before the pitch dried up further and brought Ashwin more into the game. But Jasprit Bumrah was having none of that as he seemingly found a big crack right on the shorter side of the stumps. He generated variable bounce hitting the crack and had Aiden Markram trapped in front of an unplayable delivery.

The calm and composure of Hashim Amla didn't match up either as Bumrah had found the trick in the track. He once again nailed the right ball managing to keep it low again and hit Amla on the pad. The Mumbai Indians seamer barely appealed on both occasions with the low bounce ensuring that a review would only cost the Proteas.

#1 Whatever Kohli does, De Villiers can do better

The contrasting styles of Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers complemented each other

If Virat Kohli was sublime and class personified in India's first innings, AB de Villiers showed that he himself was batting on another planet with exemplary judgement outside his off-stump and some stunning shots that lifted South Africa from 3/2 to 90/2. If Elgar was ugly and gritty, de Villiers appeared least troubled by the nippy seam movement.

He took the attack to the Indians once again, this time on his home turf, and blazed away to a fine half-century. With the pitch turning and proving to be difficult for batsmen due to the uneven bounce, de Villiers' splendid half-century and steady rock-like innings would give the hosts a much-needed boost after a tiring day in the field.