India vs South Africa, Ranchi Test, Day 1: Bad light and rain interrupt play; India 224 for 3

Bad light and rain on Saturday interrupt India vs South Africa third Test in Ranchi. (Photo: Twitter/@BCCI)


The final Test between India and South Africa of the three-match series has been suspended due to bad light accompanied by rain on Saturday. By the time, India were 224 for 3 with Rohit Sharma batting on 117 and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 83.

Earlier, Kohli won the toss and decided to bat against South Africa at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.

Talking about the Indian innings, South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje gave India early blows to win the first session of Day 1 of the final rubber.

Rabada claimed the wickets of Mayank Agarwal (caught out by Dean Elgar at slip on 10 runs) and Cheteshwar Pujara (LBW for a duck), whereas his partner Nortje dismissed Virat Kohli (LBW on 12 runs).

By lunch on Saturday, India were 71 for 3, courtesy 38 not out from Rohit Sharma and an unbeaten 11 from Ajinkya Rahane from the other end.

After digging their heels in, the Rohit-Rahane duo capitalised on the situation and took India to 205 for 3 by tea.

In the post-tea session, the duo continued their form but bad lights forced the play to be suspended and later rains too came in the scene.

Meanwhile, for India, Jharkhand spinner Shahbaz Nadeem made his debut in international cricket with his maiden Test cap.

It is to note that the pitch in Ranchi assists the spinners a little more which might have prompted Kohli to field an extra spinner (Nadeem) at the expense of a fast bowler (Ishant Sharma).