IND vs RSA, Highlights, 1st Test Day 3: Ashwin 27th Fifer, India Eye Big Lead

Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock blasted centuries as South Africa put up a great fight against India on day 3 of the Vizag Test. Elgar and De Kock notched up their maiden centuries in India while this was the left-hander's 12th and fifth respectively. The 164-run stand between the duo has given South Africa hope but they were offset by the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin picked up his 27th five-wicket haul and Jadeja became the second quickest Indian to take 200 wickets after dismissing Elgar for 160. The fourth day's play will now be vital in the context of the match, with India aiming for a sizeable lead.

17:03 hrs IST: That is stumps on day 3. Ravichandran Ashwin's five wicket haul has tilted the balance back in India's favour but the fight shown by Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock was simply amazing. South Africa have done really well and the match will be interesting on day 4.

16:49 hrs IST: FIVE WICKET HAUL! Brilliant from Ashwin and he continues to be the master in these conditions. The offbreak dips and spins back in to breach Philander's defence and South Africa are 376/8, still trailing by 126 runs.

16:43 hrs IST: Muthusamy and Philander are surviving the last few overs from Ashwin and Jadeja as they wheel away. Can South Africa bat on the fourth day? They are 376/7, trailing by 126 runs.

16:31 hrs IST: WICKET! Ashwin gets his fourth wicket and De Kock falls for 111. The delivery drifts in and skids straight on, De Kock plays down the wrong line and the middle stump is pegged back. Great effort from him and South Africa are 370/7, still trailing by 132.

16:14 hrs IST: CENTURY! Brilliant from Quinton de Kock. He launches Ashwin inside out over wide long off for a big six and he notches up his fifth century and first in India. Superb stuff from the left-hander and South Africa are 365/6, trailing by 137 runs.

15:57 hrs IST: The wicket of Elgar was Ravindra Jadeja's 200th in Tests and he is the second-quickest behind his spin colleague R Ashwin. South Africa are 352/6, trailing by 150 runs.

15:50 hrs IST: WICKET! Finally, the partnership is broken. It has been a monumental effort from Elgar. Tossed up from Jadeja and Elgar attempts the slog sweep, he gets a big top edge and Cheteshwar Pujara runs in to take the catch at deep midwicket. What a knock from Elgar. Falls for 160 and South Africa are 342/6, trailing by 160 runs.

15:42 hrs IST: De Kock is motoring towards a ton here and India continue to struggle. Can they get a breakthrough? South Africa are 330/5, trailing by 172 runs.

15:26 hrs IST: Dean Elgar has reached 150 and the partnership is really starting to hurt India. Quinton de Kock is looking good for a century. He is the second overseas opener after Alastair Cook to score 150+ in Tests in the last decade in India. South Africa are 318/5, trailing by 184 runs.

15:18 hrs IST: Elgar steers Ishant Sharma to the third man boundary and South Africa have avoided the follow-on. South Africa are 304/5, trailing by 198 runs.

14:43 hrs IST: That is tea on day 3. Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar have put South Africa under control and they can safely avoid the follow-on. If these two stay till the end of day's play today, anything can happen. South Africa are 292/5, trailing India by 210 runs.

14:32 hrs IST: South Africa are racing towards 300 now and they can safely avoid the follow-on. The onslaught by de Kock has given South Africa real momentum and they have reached 289/5, trailing by 213 runs.

14:28 hrs IST: The 100-run stand is up between De Kock and Elgar. South Afrrica are 278/5 and they trail by 224 runs. The new ball is giving some easy runs for the Proteas.

14:26 hrs IST: FIFTY! 18th for Quinton de Kock. In both Twenty20 Internationals and in this match, all his knocks have been over 50. He really loves playing against India. South Africa are 268/5, trailing by 234 runs.

14:20 hrs IST: The second new ball has been taken and Ravichandran Ashwin will open with it. Remember, he is a superb new ball bowler. South Africa are 262/5, trail by 240 runs.

14:11 hrs IST: De Kock and Elgar are playing steadily now as the tea break is just 29 minutes away. If South Africa do not lose a wicket now, then they will have an advantage heading into the final session. South Africa are 252/5, trailing by 250 runs.

13:54 hrs IST: The conditions in Vizag have gone overcast and the floodlights are being used. One hopes that the rain stays away. South Africa are 243/5.

13:41 hrs IST: Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar have stitched a quick fifty-run partnership and South Africa are 235/5.

13:22 hrs IST: De Kock mauls a slog sweep for a six and gets an outside edge to third man. South Africa are making rapid progress, reaching 220/5.

13:20 hrs IST: The confidence displayed by Elgar rubs off on Quinton de Kock who smashes two fours off Ashwin and South Africa now need less than 100 to avoid the follow-on. South Africa are 209/5.

13:11 hrs IST: South Africa have notched up the 200 and Elgar continues to grow from strength to strength. South Africa are 201/5, trailing by 301 runs.

12:57 hrs IST: CENTURY! Gets there with a six. What a moment for Dean Elgar. He blasts a six over deep midwicket and is absolutely thrilled. 12th century overall but it is his first against India. South Africa are 193/5.

12:44 hrs IST: WICKET! Finally, the partnership is broken and Ashwin has sent back the dangerous du Plessis. Flatter offbreak cutting back in, extra bounce off the deck and du Plessis stabs at it, the inside edge lobs off the front pad and Ajinkya Rahane takes the catch at short leg. South Africa 178/5

12:41 hrs IST: Elgar moves into the 90s with a punchy straight drive past mid on for a boundary. South Africa are 178/4 and they continue the good run.

12:30 hrs IST: In the air but safe! Elgar miscues a lofted shot but it just evades Ishant. The left-hander responds with a four to bring up the 100-run partnership. South Africa are 164/4

12:26 hrs IST: FIFTY! Brilliant stuff from Faf du Plessis and he notches up his 20th half century. Superb stuff and South Africa are 158/4

11:34 hrs IST: That is lunch on day 3 of the Vizag Test. South Africa have done really well thanks to this partnership between Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar. Elgar's 14th fifty has given South Africa hope while du Plessis has batted well. South Africa are 153/4 at lunch, trail by 349 runs.

11:23 hrs IST: The partnership between Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar is nearing 100. If they can bat until lunch, then the session would have been even. South Africa are 149/4.

11:14 hrs IST: DROPPED! Wriddhiman Saha has dropped Elgar on 74 off Ravindra Jadeja. This could hav been a vital dismissal as Elgar is looking in solid touch. South Africa are 146/4.

11:05 hrs IST: Elgar is on a roll. He is tackling the spin very well and he blasts Jadeja for two sixes in one over. South Africa are marching along and they are 140/4. 

10:51 hrs IST: 14th fifty for Dean Elgar. First time ever he has reached fifty in Indian shores. He is fighting hard for South Africa along with Faf du Plessis and they are 114/4.

10:40 hrs IST: Elgar sweeps Ravindra Jadeja to the fine leg boundary and he nears his fifty. South Africa are 98/4.

10:32 hrs IST: Faf du Plessis launches a six off Ashwin and he continues to show his assertion. Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack. South Africa 92/4.

10:26 hrs IST: Elgar is nearing a fifty but Kohli is surprisingly not employing spin at both ends. South Africa are 83/4.

10:12 hrs IST: Faf du Plessis gets off the mark after 11 balls as he slams two boundaries off Ashwin. South Africa need him to stay in the crease as long as possible. The Proteas are 72/4.

09:59 hrs IST: WICKET! That was dead and India strike. Good length ball from Ishant and it nips back in off the seam, it stays low and traps Bavuma in front. The ball is hitting the middle of middle stump. South Africa are 63/4.

09:47 hrs IST: Bavuma and Elgar are looking confident. Bavuma gets another boundary off Ishant by flicking a full ball to deep midwicket while Elgar uses his feet and thumps Ashwin over long on for a boundary. South Africa are 55/3.

09:38 hrs IST: Temba Bavuma gets an edge of Ishant Sharma that flies over the slip cordon and Dean Elgar leaves an Ashwin delivery that does not spin but it misses the off stump. South Africa are 43/3.

09:20 hrs IST: Third day is essentially the moving day when it comes to the result of the Test match. South Africa are three down. The pitch is assisting spin. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are at the top of their game. Good luck to the Proteas in handling them.