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MUMBAI. – Proteas head coach Russell Domingo did his best to retain faith in a miracle after the second day’s play in the third test but few were convinced.

The Proteas will resume on the third morning on 32-2 needing 310 to level the series in the fourth and final innings after 20 wickets fell in the day.

Remarkably, Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar are the not out batsmen, just as they were at the beginning of the day.

“Some strange things have happened in this game before,” Domingo said. “We are obviously a long way behind this game at the moment, but we are not discounting ourselves just yet.”

Imran Tahir’s 5-38 gave the Proteas the tiniest glimmer of hope but it was strange to all that he was not even introduced into the attack until India’s lead had reached 218 with eight wickets remaining.

“I think the captain felt that Simon (Harmer) was bowling really well to the left-handers, and tried to get a left-hander upfront. Also with JP, because the ball was turning away, he could maybe do some damage, so that was maybe the reason,” Domingo said, without full confidence.

“Immy has bowled well this series, and again today, but we do know that he has the tendency, at times, to leak runs, particularly when there are two batters who are set, and the captain probably felt at that stage he would go with the bowler who could give him a bit more control. Hindsight, if we had hindsight, we would have called tails at the toss, too!” Domingo said before refusing to criticise the pitch.

“If you’re winning the series, it is easy to criticise the pitch, but when you’re behind in the series, it is difficult to criticise the pitch. If that makes sense. You have to give India credit. They have prepared wickets that suit their style of play, and their spinners have been really good. They have bowled outstandingly well, and we won’t criticise the pitch right now.”

There was also no attempt to avoid the difference between the spin attacks of both teams: “Consistency. The Indian spinners landed the ball more consistently than our spinners, and asked questions for a longer period of tie. We have landed the ball in good areas for two or three overs, and they have landed the ball in good areas for eight or nine overs. We have beaten the bat and given away the cheap single, and they haven’t. That has been the difference between the two sets of spinners,” Domingo said. – MWP.