India 2 wickets away from a historic clean sweep: 3rd Test IND Vs SA

The third day of the ongoing 3rd Test between India and South Africa in Pune saw the hosts dominate the proceedings to seal the fate in their favour.

Resuming the day at their overnight score of 9-2, the visitors were dealt with an early blow when Umesh Yadav cleaned up Faf du Plessis for just 1 run. Zubayr Hamza then joined hands with Temba Bavuma to counter-attack India's ploy with the ball. The duo added 91 runs for the fourth wicket in quick time to keep the South African fans invested. The visitors' budding hopes were however shattered when Ravindra Jadeja managed to get the better of Hamza. The right-hander was cleaned up by the wily left-arm spinner for a well-made 62. The innings then fell apart as the Proteas were bowled out for just 162 runs in their first innings.

Trailing India's first innings score by 335 runs, the South Africans had their task cut out as Virat Kohli enforced the follow on for the second consecutive time in the series.

South Africa's second innings followed similar fortune with the Indian pacers wreaking havoc yet again. New ball bowlers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav functioned in full-throttle to leave South Africa reeling right from the word go. Offering no respite whatsoever, the pace guns tormented the batsmen constantly to leave South Africa in tatters at 36-5 just under 17 overs.

The lower order though managed to show some resistance. Drawing admiration for their resilience, the likes of George Linde, Dane Piedt and Theunis de Bruyn (concussion sub for Dean Elgar) kept the Indians at bay for quite a few overs. The defiance, however, seemed to be coming to an end with Jadeja and Ashwin wielding their might with the ball. Just when India looked set to go for the kill, bad light played the spoilsport yet again to prompt an early close of the day's play.

While South Africa, placed at 132-8, walked off the field staring at another humiliating loss, Virat Kohli and Co had their sights set on creating history by inflicting their first clean sweep on the Proteas in Test cricket.