Highlights, 1st Test, Day 3: Ashwin takes fifer after Elgar, De Kock tons; India maintain 117-run lead

Live Cricket Score, India vs South Africa, 1st Test Day 3: Follow all IND vs SA updates live from Visakhapatnam

India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 3 Live Score: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of day two of the first Test between India and South Africa from Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium. Another session to South Africa's name. Following Faf du Plessis's wicket, South Africa have again taken control of the game. Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock, who scored his first half-century in India have taken South Africa closer to avoiding follow on. India tried everything but the Proteas have hung on and scored freely. The visitors finish the second session on 292/5, trailing India (502/7) by 210 runs. SA just need 10 more runs to avoid follow on, which is looking increasingly likely now. 138 runs from the session at the loss of one wicket. Follow live updates of the first IND vs SA Test from Visakhapatnam here at indiatvnews.com. (Scorecard | When and Where to Watch)

India maintain 117-run lead at the end of Day 3

* Day 3 of 1st Test belongs to South Africa courtesy Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock centuries at a crucial stage to lead South Africa's fightback in turning condition in front of spin duo Ashwin and Jadeja. In the end, Ashwin took his 27th five-wicket haul in his comeback Test.

17.03 IST:  South Africa 385/8, trail India (502/7d) by 117 runs at Stumps in Vizag. Elgar 160, De Kock 111, Ashwin 5/128

16:45 IST: Ashwin dismisses Philander to complete his 27th five-wicket haul. He has now equalled the record of James Anderson and Ian Botham in the all-time list, while surpassing South Africa's Dale Steyn. 

16.30 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, OUT! BOWLED! Ashwin castles De Kock with excellent delivery. It was a perfect set-up from Ashwin

16.25 IST: Shami to Muthsamy, Review Taken! It was a poor decision to take the review as it was evident that the ball is going outside leg.

16.10 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, SIX! Quinton de Kock slams his 5th Test century with a maximum. South Africa 361/6, trail India (502/7d) by 141 runs in Vizag

15.54 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! The Proteas southpaw is in no mood to stop here as he just drives it through extra cover.

* Debutant Muthusamy comes to the crease

15.49 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, OUT! Elgar tried to sweep it in the air and Cheteshwar Pujara takes a wonderful running catch to put an end on Elgar's marathon innings. It was Jadeja's 200th wicket in Test cricket

15.43 IST: Jadeja to De Kock, FOUR! Paddle sweep and boundary, not a good sign for the Indian team as both the batsmen are looking too comfortable now.

15.38 IST: Jadeja to De Kock, FOUR! Loose delivery as it gets the perfect treatment, De Kock is now racing towards his century.

15.33 IST: Shami to De Kock, FOUR! Short ball and De Kock hammered it for the boundary through the extra cover region.

15.22 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, FOUR! Another boundary and Dean Elgar reaches 150 with a beautiful shot through the gully.

15.19 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, FOUR! Now Elgar is playing with bowlers mind as he deliberately guided the ball for the boundary.

15.16 IST: Ishant to Elgar, FOUR! Edged and boundary and with the four South Africa have managed to avoid the follow-on.

15.04 IST: Ishant Sharma to bowl from the other end

14.59 IST: We are back for the final session. Elgar to take strike for South Africa while India will start with Ashwin. Here we go!

14.43 IST: TEA! Second session in a row for South Africa. After losing Faf du Plessis early, South Africa have taken total control of the session. A total of 139 runs was scored at the loss of one wicket as De Kock and Elgar guided the visitors to 292/5, just 10 short of avoiding follow on. Join us in a bit for the last session of the day!

14.35 IST: Ashwin is back on from the other end

14.31 IST: Jadeja is back on and has the ball for India now.

14.29 IST: Vihari to De Kock, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Nobody moved this time. Took a good stride and smashed it through covers for a boundary. Runs coming fast now.

14.29 IST: Vihari to De Kock, FOUR! Delicate! Just guides it past first slip for a boundary.

14.27 IST: Hanuma Vihari to bowl from the other end as Jadeja walked off the field due to an injury

14.26 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! Crunched through the covers. Ashwin trying different actions but to no avail. The ball is travelling.

14.25 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! Full ball and lofts it over the infield for a boundary. Jadeja makes a valiant effort and almost saves it but the ball wins the race.

14.23 IST: Jadeja to De Kock, FIFTY! Pushes down towards covers and brings up his 18th Test fifty and first in India in the format.

14.21 IST: Ravindra Jadeja to bowl from the other end

14.20 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! Bowled full and De Kock digs it out and smashes it through covers for a boundary. Moves on to 49.

14.16 IST: The second new ball has been taken and Ashwin will begin with it.

14.14 IST: Vihari to Elgar, FOUR! Flighted ball and driven through covers for another boundary.

14.11 IST: Rohit to De Kock, FOUR! Slow, flighted ball and De Kock lofts it over covers for a boundary.

14.05 IST: Shami to Elgar, FOUR! Driven down the ground and despite Shubman Gill's best efforts, the ball beats him to the ropes.

14.04 IST: And he starts with a maiden over. Not a bad way to begin.

14.02 IST: India are just 4 overs away from having the opportunity and look who is bowling? ROHIT SHARMA!! His back with the ball in his hand after 3 years almost. The last time he bowled was in 2016 and he also has 2 wickets to his name. Can he break the stand?

13.45 IST: Mohammed Shami introduced into the attack.

13.38 IST: The 50-run stand comes up between Elgar and De Kock. The two have steadied the ship once again following Du Plessis's wicket. South Africa 229/5, trail India (502/7) by 273 runs.

13.23 IST: Vihari to De Kock, FOUR! Outside off and sliced behind point for a boundary.

13.19 IST: Jadeja to De Kock, FOUR! Unlucky for Jadeja. Gets an outside edge of De Kock's bat but wide of first slip and runs down for another boundary.

13.18 IST: Jadeja to De Kock, SIX! Gets down on his knee and slog sweeps it over deep midwicket for a maximum.

13.17 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! A much more controlled shot this time. Slices past point and the outfield is fast enough to take it to the boundary. Second of the over.

13.16 IST: Ashwin to De Kock, FOUR! And, just when I said he has settled in, De Kock looks to clear the field and get a six but only manages to get a boundary as he just clears the mid-off fielder.

13.14 IST: Elgar and De Kock once again have settled in their grooves and it will need something special or the pitch to get them going. De Kock after his initial habit of going after the bowling has now gone more defensive. 

13.01 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! Goes around the wicket and drifts to his pads and Elgar gracefully flicks it fine for a boundary.

12.55 IST: Vihari to De Kock, DROPPED! Tries to flick and gets a leading edge but Rohit Sharma fails to grab a sharp chance at silly point. Survives.

12.53 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, SIX! CENTURY! Gets down on his knees and sweeps it over the ropes and throws his hands up in the air as the whole dressing room applauds. His 12th Test ton and second in Asia.

12.49 IST: Jadeja to Ashwin, FOUR! Leans forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. Sweet timing from De Kock.

12.45 IST: Quinton de Kock is the new man in.

12.44 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, OUT! Finally a breakthrough for India. Ashwin has his man. Bowls into the wicket but dragged his length back, Faf had to play and all he managed was an inside edge, which went straight to Pujara at leg-slip. South Africa 178/5 from 57.3 overs

12.37 IST: Shami to Elgar, FOUR! Angles down the leg and flicked away for a boundary. Moves on to 88 now. 

12.35 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, FOUR! Sweeps and sweeps well. Drags it from just outside off and beats the fielder, who was standing fine. 

12.28 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! This time he gets the connection right. Hits it right over Ashwin's head for a boundary. Also brings up the 100-run stand for the fifth wicket.

12.27 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, SAFE! Lofted over mid-on but lands just safe from Ishant Sharma, who was running backwards.  Two for Elgar.

12.25 IST: Shami to Du Plessis, FIFTY! A length delivery and tucked to deep backward square for a double and that brings up his 20th Test fifty and a much-needed one at this stage.

12.13 IST: We are back! This will be a crucial session for both the teams. India need wickets while a good partnership from these two can help SA come back in the game. Shami to resume for India post-lunch, Elgar to take strike.

11.32 IST: LUNCH! South Africa have managed to recover from the early wickets courtesy Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis. The pair has put on an unbeaten 90-run stand for the fifth wicket and taken SA to 153/4 at lunch on dat three. The visitors trail the hosts by 349 runs. Join us in a bit for the second session!

11.28 IST: Jadeja to Du Plessis, FOUR! Dragged down the leg side and flicked with ease for a boundary. Moves on to 48.

11.12 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, DROPPED! Fine edge generated and Saha drops it. A faint knick but the wicketkeeper fails to grab it the first time. Life for Elgar.

11.07 IST: Ishant to Du Plessis, FOUR! Strays down the leg and flicked for a boundary. Moves into his 40s.

11.06 IST: Ishant Sharma is back on for India.

11.04 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, SIX! Second of the over. Dances down the track and straight over the bowler's head for a maximum. 16 runs off the over.

11.03 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, FOUR! Drifts on to his pads and he easelessly glances it for a boundary through the leg side.

11.02 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, SIX! Sweeps and goes for a maximum. Ball looped up in the air and did keep Pujara interested for a while but in the end, he failed to get there and it landed straight on the advertising skirtings.

10.54 IST: Vihari to Du Plessis, FOUR! Good ball around the off stump but Faf played it with soft hands and guided it past slips for a boundary.

10.52 IST: Hanuma Vihari introduced into the attack in place of Ravindra Jadeja.

10.50 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! Cross seam bowl outside off on the fuller side and Elgar gets down on one knee and drives it through covers for a boundary.

10.48 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FIFTY! Elgar hits the ball down the ground towards long on for a single and in the process, bring up his 14th Test match fifty.

10.41 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, FOUR! Pitched on middle and Faf sweeps it for another boundary. With that, the 100 comes up for SA.

10.39 IST: Jadeja to Elgar, FOUR! Outside off and swept for a boundary. Moves on to 48.

10.29 IST: Ravindra Jadeja introduced into the attack for the first time in the day.

10.26 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, SIX! Dances down the track and slams it over his head for a maximum. Faf us getting the runs relatively quick here on a challenging track.

10.19 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! This is becoming a recurring theme now. Once again flighted outside off and lofted over mid-on for a boundary.

10.15 IST: Shami to Plessis, FOUR! Going down the leg and Faf clips it off his pads for a boundary through square leg. His third already.

10.10 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, FOUR! Flighted one on middle and leg and Faf sweeps it through square leg for the second boundary of the over.

10.08 IST: Ashwin to Du Plessis, FOUR!

10.04 IST: Mohammed Shami is the new bowler for India, replaces Ishant in the attack.

09.55 IST: Faf du Plessis is the new man in

09.54 IST: Ishant to Bavuma, OUT! Pitches outside off, nips back and keeps low and Bavuma is caught right in front. No inside edge and the umpire has no doubt in his head. Adjudged LBW. South Africa lose their fourth. South Africa 63/4 from 26.1 overs

09.53 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! Overpitched from Ash and Elgar smashes it down the ground towards long-on for another boundary.

09.50 IST: Ishant to Bavuma, FOUR! A defensive push but it takes the outside edge and runs away to the boundary via gully.

09.44 IST: Ashwin to Elgar, FOUR! Flighted delivery and Elgar latches on to it and lofts it over mid-on for a boundary.

09.40 IST: Ishant to Bavuma, FOUR! Strays down the leg and on to his pads and Bavuma flicks it effortlessly for a boundary through mid-wicket.

09.35 IST: R Ashwin to bowl from the other end and there is some turn immediately. 

09.31 IST: Ishant to Bavuma, EDGED AND FOUR! Pitched up by Ishant, Bavuma goes for the booming drive and the ball flies between second slip and gully. First runs on the board for SA.

09.30 IST: Ishant Sharma to begin for India while Temba Bavuma will take strike for South Africa. Here we go!

09.28 IST: The players are making their way into the field. Day's play is just moments away.

09.10 IST: PITCH REPORT: It looks like a typical third-day pitch. The cracks have widened and with the heat and sun burning down, they are expected to open up further and it'll be difficult to bat on the surface.

09.00 IST: We didn't bowl badly, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal were too good: Maharaj

India spinners bowled faster than their South African counterparts and got more purchase out of the surface. Maharaj said the deteriorating pitch was also a reason Indian spinners doing well. [Read full story here]

08.40 IST: Long-distance running, stretched batting sessions behind Mayank Agarwal's Test success

Playing his first Test in India, Agarwal showed remarkable concentration and endurance for his monumental 215 off 371 balls that allowed the hosts to declare their first innings at 502 for seven on Thursday. [Read full story here]

08.30 IST: Weather:

It's 28 degree celcius now in Vizag with cloudy skiers. However, as the day progresses, showers are expected to lash down during the afternoon especially.

A brief preview:

The pitch at the ACA-VDCA Stadium has started taking turn and the duo of R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have already shown signs of what the South African batsmen can expect in the remainder of the first Test as the duo had the Proteas batsmen huffing and puffing in the third session of the second day's play on Thursday. At stumps, South Africa's score read 39/3 with Dean Elgar (27) and Temba Bavuma (2) at the crease, still trailing by 463 runs. [Read full preview here]