ZAF vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 match prediction 5 Jan 2022

SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 Predictions & Betting Tips

South Africa took on India in the second Test match of the ongoing three-match series. This match is being played at the iconic and yet beautiful, The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from January 3, Monday. Day 2 provided us with options of making money and so will Day 3. Thus, I have brought forward three of the best betting tips from the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 head-to-head encounter.

Just when the Indian cricket fans were thinking that skipper Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen were taking the game away from them, “Lord” (as he is funnily addressed) Shardul Thakur came to the rescue and turned the game on its heels. South Africa needed either of these two options to stay alive in this series - a win or a draw. That seems improbable now as the third choice has surfaced after an incredible 7-fer from Shardul Thakur. Not only did he register the best figures (61/7) by an Indian in South Africa but also the best figures against the Proteas overall. Despite valiant fifties from Petersen and Temba Bavuma, South Africa were bundled out for 229 runs eventually. The lead was just 27 runs and that is not much in the context of this fixture. Mayank Agarwal and stand-in skipper KL Rahul had 26 overs to deal with till the end of day’s play. But both of them perished soon and then came the duo who are under a lot of spotlight - Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Things started to take a turn for India as Pujara and Rahane were scoring at 4.00 runs an over. The Saurashtra batsman is unbeaten on 35 runs from just 42 balls and Rahane is undefeated on 11. They have managed to stretch the lead to 58 runs and this is looking rather good for India at the moment provided they don’t lose early wickets tomorrow. For now, let us take a look at the top betting tips from the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 head-to-head encounter.

SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 Team Bet:

The only team bet that could prove to be rather productive is the winning market and the odds are going to dip rapidly if Pujara and Rahane stay on for another 75-100 runs. So before that happens, let us get our bets ready for the ultimate result of the SA vs IND 2nd Test.

India to win

As I have mentioned before, if it was not for Shardul Thakur, India would have struggled as the Proteas skipper Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen were standing strong through some venomous spells of the Indian seamers. Thakur’s 7 for 61 was the second best by any visiting bowler in South Africa and that has given India a really good opportunity to get closer to that Freedom Trophy. South Africa have never defeated India at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. In the last nine Test matches between India and South Africa, the former have triumphed on 7 occasions. In fact, India have won the last five Test matches against the Proteas in a row. Moreover, two out of those five wins have come in South Africa itself. Pari Match should offer the best of odds for an Indian victory in the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 match prediction.

SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 Player Bets:

The players in the middle at the moment,Pujara and Rahane are my two picks from Day 3. They are the ones who are going to make you guys some money from the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 clash.

Cheteshwar Pujara to do well

The Saurashtra batsman is under scanner for his recent performances in the longest format of the game. However, Pujara still sneaked himself into the top 10 run scorers list in the 2021 calendar year. His place in this Test squad was being questioned and Pujara is currently batting on 35 from 42 balls and is looking good for a decent reviving score. In 16 matches against South Africa, Pujara has scored 812 runs at an average of 31.23. In the third match innings of Test cricket, the right-handed batsman has been maintaining an average of almost 40.00. In the second match of any Test series, Pujara has been scoring at an average of 41.18. While batting at number three, Pujara still has a batting average of 44.91. Pari Match are the likely aggregators to provide the best of odds for Pujara to do well with the bat tomorrow in the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 match prediction.

Ajinkya Rahane to accumulate some runs

Lastly, I have Ajinkya Rahane, who is also under the spotlight for his poor run of form in Test cricket. The classy right hander from Mumbai had a dismal 2021 in terms of form as he was scoring at an ordinary average of 20.81. But if you are to look deeper into his numbers, I might be able to convince you to think otherwise. He has played 12 Test matches against South Africa and has racked up 827 runs at an incredible average of 51.68. In five matches on the South African soil, Rahane has scored 345 runs at an average of 43.12. In the third match innings, the right-handed batsman has been maintaining an average of 35.29. In the second Test match of any series, Rahane has an astounding batting average of almost 54.00. Pari Match should offer you the best of odds for Ajinkya Rahane to accumulate some runs in the SA vs IND 2nd Test Day 3 match prediction.

My Picks:

India to win

Cheteshwar Pujara to do well

Ajinkya Rahane to accumulate some runs