India vs South Africa Bangalore Test Day 3 Highlights: Heavy Rain Forces Play to Be Called Off Early

When the rain came down on the second day, the signs were not god. When both teams awoke in the morning, their worst fears were confirmed. The rain continued to pour in the third day and it was unrelenting. The umpires decided to call off play just before lunch and for the second successive day, play was washed out. The forecast for the remaining two days is not looking good. Catch all the highlights here. (SCORECARD | VIDEOS | LATEST NEWS)

11:30 hrs IST: The announcement has come quickly. Rain has washed out the entire day for the second consecutive time. The umpires have deemed that conditions are just not favorable. The rain has not stopped and there are huge puddles forming on the outfield. The forecast for the remaining days is not too promising either.

11:18 hrs IST: We are coming close to lunch but the rain is unrelenting. This is so frustrating for cricket fans.

11:09 hrs IST: What a massive moment at Perth. David Warner, who had scored four consecutive hundreds against New Zealand, is finally out for less than a hundred. Trent Boult gets him out for 24 and New Zealand in with a big chance. Nothing much has changed in Bangalore as the Garden city gets more rain.

11:00 hrs IST: New Zealand continued the good work by getting rid of Joe Burns for 0. However, in the blink of an eye, Steven Smith and David Warner have wrested the intiative and gotten off to a fast start.

10:49 hrs IST: There is not much activity at the moment from the ground staff. The drizzle is steady and until it stops, there is nothing anybody can do.

10:35 hrs IST: Here is the latest visual from the Chinnaswamy stadium. Advisory warning: This is NOT a pretty sight.

Heavy rain continued to delay play on day three of the second Test between India and South Africa.

© BCCI

10:27 hrs IST: One must remember that the drainage facilities at the Chinnaswamy stadium are excellent. However, with so much rain lashing Bangalore, the facilities will be tested to their limits. Will the outfield be ready once the rain stops?

10:15 hrs IST: While we wait for some updates, here is an interesting bit from the Cricket All-Stars. Virender Sehwag is known to be cool. However, he has a new hobby, which is to sing and hit a six. Read it here.

10:02 hrs IST: Lunch has been taken in Perth with New Zealand having a slight chance. Meanwhile, in Bangalore, the status quo remains. Dark skies, rain and chances of play looking remote.

09:50 hrs IST: Over in Perth, the Ross Taylor miracle is over. He has the highest individual score by an overseas batsman in Tests in Australia, beating the 112-year mark set by Reginald 'Tip' Foster of England, who smashed 287 in 1903/04. Taylor's 290 has given New Zealand a 65-run lead and a real chance in this match.

09:40 hrs IST: A minor miracle will be needed if any play has to take place today. The situation is looking bleak.

09:27 hrs IST: Chances of play happening even today look bleak. Puddles are forming on the outfield just outside the covers and the rain is just not relenting. The wait and frustration continues.

09:15 hrs IST: Ross Taylor is shattering records in Perth. He now has the highest individual score by a New Zealand player in overseas Tests while he has the second highest score by an overseas batsman in Australia.

09:06 hrs IST: The rain is still pelting down in Bangalore. The cyclone in Chennai is really having an impact on this match here. The official word is there will be no play until lunch.

08:55 hrs IST: While play continues to be delayed in Bangalore, over in sunny Perth, Ross Taylor has become only the third overseas player to score over 250 in Australia. Thanks to his wonderful knock, New Zealand have taken the lead against Australia.

08:46 hrs IST: Here is confirmation. Cricket South Africa have tweeted that with so much overnight rain, play is not expected to start anytime before 11:30 AM IST.

Good morning on this rainy 3rd day of the 2nd Test. It doesn't look as though we will start on time. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/iAkyGNoYS1

- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 16, 2015

08:44 hrs IST: A warm welcome to day three of the second Test between India and South Africa from rainy Bangalore. The news is not good from the Garden City. It has not stopped raining since last night and no play is expected to happen anytime soon. The situation remains.

India vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Persistent rain washed out the second day in Bangalore.

© AFP

South Africa were under the pump after the end of day one. They were spun out for 214 and India had made a great start at 80/0. The stage was set for more misery on day two. However, South Africa had an unlikely assist from the elements. Persistent rain washed out the entire second day and due to this, the Proteas still have a slim chance of staying in this match. (Day 2 Highlights)

It was a frustrating day for India in particular. Heavy overnight rain resulted in the start of the match being delayed to 10:30 AM. As play was about to begin, rain returned and this time it lingered on for a long time. Play was called off one hour after lunch and play will begin at 09:15 AM on Monday. (Day 2 Report)

The loss of an entire day has changed the dynamics of the match slightly. India will now be battling against time to force a result in this game while South Africa have a slight window of opportunity to stay in the contest. However, looking at the performance of the batsmen against spin, it will not be easy.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are the leading wicket-takers in the series with 12 wickets each. India's bowling coach Bharat Arun has lavished praise on the spin bowlers, especially Jadeja.

"Jadeja is one of our 'banker' (bankable) bowlers. No matter what format you play, whether you play Tests or ODIs. He knows using his strengths to his advantage," Arun remarked.

Looking at the current form of both of India's spin bowlers, South Africa will need a lot more help from the elements. The weather is not too promising for the next two days and India will be hoping that rain does not dampen their push towards a 2-0 series lead.