Virat Kohli continued his batting master-class from Day two, to help India close in on South Africa's first innings total of 335, with a stellar 21st Test century. By Lunch, India had reached 287 for 8, with Kohli unbeaten on 141. They were still 48 runs behind South Africa's total. Ashwin (38) offered Kohli some valuable company during a vital seventh wicket stand worth more than fifty. South Africa, however, struck twice with the new ball to bring a high-flying India side more earthbound, but with Kohli still at the crease, India will have reason to dream.
Kohli had resumed the innings on 85, and went on to quickly notch up his century - the second in South Africa. If he had advocated more intent from the rest of his team, Kohli showed just what that meant. He was invariably aware of the gaps and open to quick strike rotation. He attacked the bad balls without any mercy and ensured India got as many as possible when the opportunity was there. He took on the short ball, and was not afraid to dole out lip service when South Africa's bowlers spoke up. The traits shone through throughout the innings as he almost single-handedly gave India hope of staying in the game.
At the other end, Hardik Pandya, looked at ease too as India looked to get as close to South Africa's total.
They suffered their first setback of the day quite against the run of play, but it was their own doing. Pandya hit a ball to mid on and set off for a single, but on being declined, he ambled back in. The throw from Philander found the stumps, but Pandya had failed to get his bat or foot inside the crease despite having all the time to do just that. It was a wicket South Africa had to thank their stars for, but it had provided them with an opening to wrap up the innings.
Ashwin, however, came in with different ideas. After a testing welcome from Kagiso Rabada that saw ball fly past his nose, and an edge sail over the slips, Ashwin slammed the right-hander for three back-to-back boundaries. In fact, he did the bulk of the scoring for India during an enterprising partnership.
His good hand-eye co-ordination was on view as he drove crisply through the covers to collect boundaries. He was also good off his pads and playing the short ball to help India first get the deficit into double digits, then as less as 62.
It was then that South Africa took the new ball and Philander struck in the first over to send Ashwin back in the hut. In the next over, Mohammed Shami edged to slip to give South Africa their eighth scalp.
Kohli put on his attacking shoes soon after, chipping down the wicket to hit Philander through the covers, and he farmed most of the strike to take India to Tea without any further dents
Brief scores: South Africa 335 lead India 287/8 (Virat Kohli 141*, Murali Vijay 46, Morne Morkel 2-52) by 48 runs.
