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

A controversial day of Test cricket saw India edge ahead courtesy of some sensible batting from the visitors and lacklustre bowling and sloppy fielding from the hosts.

However, the major talking point of the day was play being called off by the on-field umpires for the day after South Africa's Dean Elgar was hit on the helmet by a rising delivery from Jasprit Bumrah.

Despite South Africa's horrendous day in the field, the pitch gave enough assistance to test the nerve of every batsman and if it not were for two fabulous knocks - from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane - India would have set a much lower target.

South Africa are 17/1 at stumps on day 3 but with a large target in front of them and a deceitful surface, it is unlikely that anything other than play being called off will save the hosts.

The ominous presence of AB de Villiers will worry India but with the pitch completely aligned against batsmen, South Africa are virtually out of this contest.

#5 Vijay and Kohli resist anything and everything

It took a peach from Rabada to end Vijay's innings

Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli stood strong after India lost KL Rahul early. On a pitch where batting was getting near impossible by the minute, Vijay and Kohli showed impeccable judgement outside the off-stump before driving with authority through covers to keep the scorecard ticking.

The 43-run partnership was among the best India has had this series and it not only defied the Proteas seamers but also put the fielders under tremendous stress.

Kagiso Rabada eventually ended the stand with a rip-roaring yorker to send Vijay back before cleaning up Kohli with an inswinger.

#4 Kagiso Rabada hits his groove

Rabada ran havoc post the lunch session

India seemed to be running away with the game when Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli were batting but Kagiso Rabada ensured that it wouldn't carry on for long by cleaning the opener up with a superb yorker.

A few overs later he returned to resume his battle with Virat Kohli - the highlight of the series so far.

Kohli, who had played Rabada with authority, got a peach of a delivery from the South African pacer and was cleaned all ends up.

Hardik Pandya was next to fall, gifting a return catch to Rabada off a fullish length ball.

#3 Rahane's outstanding knock

Rahane was in great touch on a difficult wicket

Ajinkya Rahane showed exactly what India missed in the first two Tests with a superb innings studded with some cracking shots off full-length balls.

While the middle-order batsman struggled to start off, almost skying a pull shot to the fielder, he got into the groove soon enough.

With Kohli playing some classic shots, Rahane joined hands and took care of some lacklustre bowling on a dangerous pitch.

The highlight of Rahane's knock was his strike rate which at one point went above 100. He appeared fully in control of proceedings and rarely have the Proteas seamers any leeway.

#2 Lack of intensity with ball and in the field hurt SA

South Africa appeared off colour in the field and with the ball

South Africa dropped Bhuvneshwar Kumar twice and appeared completely off colour with the ball as they let India off the hook on Day 3.

The usual oomph and zip in the attack were missing as the Proteas bowled without purpose - short and wide - on a surface where it demanded them to bowl at the stumps.

First Kohli and Vijay and then Bhuvneshwar and Rahane helped India ace past the 200-run mark comfortably with the only South African seamer who bowled with some conviction being Kagiso Rabada.

#1 Wanderers pitch shows its true colours

Controversy erupted as Dean Elgar was struck on the helmet off a bouncer

The Wanderers pitch had received scything criticism from experts and former cricketers alike and all of the drama reached an anti-climax late on Day 3 when a rather innocuous delivery shot up to hit Dean Elgar on the helmet.

The South African had, in hindsight, misjudged the length but with the pitch already under scrutiny after multiple inspections, the umpires decided to call off play for the day.

It was a rather tame end to an exciting day of Test cricket and India would feel hard done to not have received a few more overs at the South African batsmen.

With the cracks opening up wider late in the day and expected to further grow in size, it remains to be seen how far this game night progress, if indeed the match officials decide to proceed with the match on Day 4.