Indian opener, Rana, continued his red-hot form, leaving the South African bowlers frustrated on day 3 of the ongoing test match. Rana’s aggressive knock, peppered with exquisite boundaries, put the visitors in a commanding position.
Rana, who struck a scintillating century in the first innings, showed no signs of complacency as he picked up where he left off. He started cautiously, playing the ball on its merit, but gradually upped the ante, finding gaps in the field with ease. The South African bowlers, especially their pace attack, toiled hard but were unable to find a way past Rana’s resolute defense and attacking strokeplay.
Rana’s knock was built on solid technique and unwavering temperament. He played some delightful drives on the off-side, while also working the ball cleverly through the leg-side. The South African spinners found it difficult to extract any turn from the pitch, and Rana dealt with them with disdain, using his feet effectively to disrupt their lengths.
As Rana continued to accumulate runs, the frustration on the South African faces grew. The captain tried different bowling combinations, but nothing seemed to work. Rana feasted on anything loose, punishing any wayward deliveries to the boundary.
With Rana going strong, India is in a healthy position to build a mammoth total. His knock has not only put the pressure on the South Africans but has also given the Indian middle-order a platform to launch themselves.
The rest of the day’s play will be crucial as India looks to capitalize on Rana’s brilliant knock and extend their lead further. If Rana can continue his imperious form, the South Africans could be staring down the barrel of a huge defeat.
