Day 3 of the first Test in Kolkata turned into a tense and chaotic battle for South Africa, who struggled badly in their second innings and slumped to 99 for 7 under relentless pressure from India’s bowlers. The innings hung by a thread, with captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten and carrying the weight of the side, while Corbin Bosch provided steady company at the other end. Their partnership became the only meaningful resistance in a session dominated by India.
The trouble began early in the morning when India’s bowlers tightened the screws with disciplined spells. Spin and seam both extracted awkward bounce and grip from the surface, leaving South Africa’s top and middle order unable to settle. Wickets fell in clusters, exposing the tail well before the scoreboard showed anything reassuring. By the time the seventh wicket fell, the visitors were staring at a potential collapse that could cost them the match.
Bavuma, however, showed grit and clarity. He weathered dangerous spells with calm judgment, picking the right moments to defend and rotate the strike. His innings was built on patience—soft hands, compact footwork, and an unwavering refusal to chase balls outside off. As the wickets tumbled around him, he soaked up the pressure and embraced the responsibility of holding the innings together.
Bosch, meanwhile, played with surprising composure for a lower-order batter. He left smartly, blocked confidently, and punished the rare loose ball. Between them, they helped South Africa claw their way from 63 for 7 to a far more respectable position, pushing the lead into triple digits. Every single run they added mattered on a pitch where chasing even modest totals could become hazardous.
Their stand was not just about runs—it was about survival. India kept rotating bowlers, mixing spin and pace to unsettle the pair, but Bavuma and Bosch remained stubborn. The partnership brought much-needed stability to a team that looked on the verge of folding. Bavuma’s leadership was evident in the way he guided Bosch through overs, reminding him when to take singles and when to simply play time.
Despite the immense pressure, South Africa found a sliver of momentum. The lead creeping past the 100-run mark created uncertainty for India, especially given how the pitch had behaved through the match. Balls were keeping low, gripping sharply, and making scoring fraught with risk.
Still, the situation was precarious. One wicket could expose the long tail once again, and India knew that wrapping up the innings swiftly would put them in commanding position. The bowlers continued to attack the stumps, crowding the batters with close catchers and refusing to ease off.
By the close of the session, Bavuma and Bosch had managed to drag South Africa back into the contest. Their resilience ensured that the Test was still alive, preventing India from gaining complete control. The next phase would hinge on whether this pair, or those who followed, could squeeze out enough runs to set India a difficult target on a deteriorating surface.
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