India refused to concede an inch while South Africa hoped for their misery to end as the third Test in Ranchi went along unfortunate yet expected lines. In their worst batting performance of the tour, South Africa were staring down the barrel at 132-8 in the second innings after added time on Monday. This after they were shot out for just 162 earlier in the day in reply to India's 497-9 declared. If Faf du Plessis was hoping for a consolation at the end of a harrowing Test series, he was in for a shock as India were powered by another superb effort by their fast bowlers. Umesh Yadav picked up 3-40 in the first innings and snared 2-35 in the second. Fellow quick Mohammed Shami was equally incisive while picking up 2-22 earlier in the day and 3-10 in the afternoon. Not only did Shami and Yadav rattle South African batsmen with pace and late movement on a pitch that was up and down, they caused physical damage as well. Opener Dean Elgar was hit flush on the helmet by a Yadav bouncer on the second outing and was forced off the field, Theunis de Bruyn the concussion substitute. India's bowling was so good they could afford for off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to have one of his quieter days. South Africa were hoping for a much better performance, especially after Zubayr Hamza hit a sparking 62 off 79 balls in the first innings. But around him, it at was another tale of despair with the bulk of the top order failing twice in one day. Only three batsmen in the first innings managed to reach double figures and India captain Virat Kohli immediately enforced the follow on for a second match in a row. Shami and Yadav continued from where they left off in the morning session, uprooting the stumps of Hamza and Quinton de Kock respectively. There were five successive single digit scores in the South African top order and once again, it was up to the lower order to put up a fight. George Linde and Dane Piedt scored respectable 20s but it is now just a matter of time. De Bruyn (batting on 30) will carry South Africa's minuscule hopes when play resumes on Tuesday.
