Proteas need 212 runs to win third Test and the series against India

An unbeaten hundred from Rishabh Pant lifted India to 198 all out to set the Proteas a target of 212 to win the third Test and the Freedom Trophy series.

Marco Jansen was the lead destroyer for the Proteas capturing four wickets in the second innings.

Proteas will need 212 runs to win Freedom Trophy

Jansen got in on the act early, removing Cheteshwar Pujara with the second ball of the morning, and soon after, Ainkya Rahane fell to Kagiso Rabada.

Pant and skipper Virat Kohli powered India to 130 for 4 at lunch, but soon after the break the captain was drawn into chasing a wide one from Lungi Ngidi to depart for a gritty 29.

While Ngidi, Rabada and Jansen whittled their way through the tail, Pant continued to move quickly towards a fourth Test century.

Pant would eventually reach his century with number 11 Jasprit Bumrah holding on at the other end.

Jansen knocked over Bumrah soon afterwards, and an enthralling chase awaits.

The 46 runs added after Kohli’s dismissal were mostly scored by Pant who struck six fours and four sixes in his swashbuckling ton.

South Africa might feel that the target is a very gettable one but by the same token, India are far from out of the game and should fancy their bowlers have it in them to knock over the Proteas and win a Test series on our shores for the first time.

Another chase

The Proteas have been required to chase in the fourth innings of both preceding Tests. South Africa failed in their bid to chase 305 in the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park. They then proceeded to get back into the series with a win at the Wanderers, where Dean Elgar dragged the Proteas over the line.

Pant’s innings could encourage a few of the Proteas to go the attacking route but with over two days of play still left, time is not an issue.