India vs South Africa Highlights, Kotla Test: Ajinkya Rahane's 89 Puts Hosts on Top
Ajinkya Rahane played a magnificent knock as he ended his 'jinx' in India. He notched up his first fifty in India and at the end of the day, he helped India reach a good position after a middle order collapse. Catch all the highlights here.
India got off to a solid start on the first day but scoring proved to be difficult. In the second session, South Africa roared back with five wickets but Ajinkya Rahane stole the show with a magnificent maiden fifty at home. His partnerships with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have helped India get to a good position at the end of day one. Relive all the moments here. (SCORECARD | NEWS | PHOTOS):
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16:36 hrs IST: It has been a magnificent performance from Rahane and India's score of 231/7 is already the highest total by a team in this series. Rahane has also notched up the highest individual score in this series. For South Africa, a couple of dropped catches from their skipper Hashim Amla has hurt them and they are already on the backfoot.
16:25 hrs IST: The umpires are checking for the light and the players are walking off. That will be stumps and India have ended day one on 231/7. Rahane has played a magnificent knock on a sluggish wicket and this has put India in a great position.
16:13 hrs IST: Rahane enters the 80's with a six off Piedt. With this, India have notched up the highest team total in this series. Records are tumbling at the fag end of day one.
16:07 hrs IST: Dropped! Oh what a miss! Amla, who earlier dropped a simple catch off Rohit Sharma earlier, this time drops Rahane on 78. It was a quick ball from Piedt and Rahane pokes at it, the edge flies to Amla who juggles the catch at slip and drops it. The South African captain is having a torrid time in the field.
16:04 hrs IST: Oh boy, slight hold up in play! Temba Bavuma, who is at short leg, gets hit on the left arm by a pull shot from Rahane. He is getting some medical attention but he is alright.
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15:54 hrs IST: Loud appeal for a catch but umpire Dharmasena is unmoved. Piedt tosses this delivery up on leg stump and it spins back in, Ashwin looks to play it with soft hands and the ball lobs off the pad to short leg. South Africa are convinced that he has got an edge but the umpire says not out.
15:44 hrs IST: WICKET! Abbott strikes in his new spell and the 59-run stand is broken. Jadeja c Elgar b Abbott 24 (59).
Full delivery angled in on the pads, Jadeja flicks uppishly to mid wicket but Elgar dives forward and takes a low catch. India are 198/7 and this partnership has boosted them.
15:39 hrs IST: Some replays are coming about Piedt's LBW appeal against Jadeja a couple of overs ago which was not given by umpire Bruce Oxenford. The left-hander played inside the line of the delivery and was hit on the back leg. Umpire suggests that it was going down the leg side but replays show it could have hit middle.
15:32 hrs IST: Drinks at the Kotla and India are on top thanks to Rahane's fifty. It is not an easy wicket to bat on but the partnership between these two have deflated South Africa.
15:23 hrs IST: The partnership between Jadeja and Rahane has gone past fifty. Once again, the Saurashtra allrounder has chipped in with the bat and this stand could define the course of the match
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15:13 hrs IST: What a moment for Rahane. He smashes Piedt for a six and a four to notch up his maiden fifty at home. It is his eighth overall. For a player of his class, it is intriguing as to why he struggled in India. However, he has finally broken the jinx.
15:07 hrs IST: Jadeja breaks the shackles by straight-driving Duminy for a boundary. That has gotten the crowd on their feet. However, the slow rate of scoring suggests that playing strokes on this wicket will not be easy.
14:58 hrs IST: JP Duminy is into the attack and he starts off with a real loose ball. He bowls a short delivery and it spins well down the leg side, Vilas is unable to collect.
14:52 hrs IST: Jadeja and Rahane are ensuring some smooth progress as South Africa plug away. There seem to be moments where this match is in India's hand but suddenly a flurry of wickets gives the game back to South Africa.
14:42 hrs IST: Piedt is wheeling away as he hunts for his maiden five-wicket haul. Morne Morkel is bowling at full tilt. Can India reach 200? Jadeja has chipped in with some valuable knocks in Mohali and he needs to hang in with Rahane.
14:32 hrs IST: Welcome back for the final session. India are in big trouble and only Rahane is holding firm. Can he make a fifty and can India get past 200 on a wicket that is becoming more and more difficult for strokeplay?
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14:22 hrs IST: While the tea break is on, you can enjoy Virender Sehwag's felicitation at the Kotla by the BCCI and also on his one regret that he still has.
14:17 hrs IST: Dane Piedt has had a good start in his Test career and he already has a hat-trick! He has a hat-trick of four-wicket hauls, claiming 4/90, 4/62 and now 4/56. One wonders why he did not play the first three Tests. He has bowled very well in this innings.
14:10 hrs IST: WICKET! And it is also tea! Another Indian batsman drags the ball back onto the stumps. Saha inside edges a full ball from Abbott and the stumps are disturbed. India are 139/6 at tea and in big trouble. It is not a bad pitch, just bad shots.
13:58 hrs IST: Appeal for LBW not given! South Africa are convinced that Wriddhiman Saha is out but the umpire is unmoved. In the channel just outside off, it tails in as Saha decides to leave it and the ball hits him on the pad, but perhaps the impact was outside off stump.
13:52 hrs IST: WICKET! However, Rohit Sharma decides to gift his wicket to the South Africans. What a poor shot to play in the circumstances. Rohit Sharma c Tahir b Piedt 1 (6).
One would expect that after getting a lifeline, he would capitalise but he does not. Flighted delivery on off, Rohit completely mistimes the lofted shot and holes out to long on. The umpires check for the no-ball and it is a mighty close call. The heel is nanometers behind the line and Rohit is given his marching orders. Piedt gets his fourth wicket.
13:47 hrs IST: Dropped! Rohit Sharma gets a life on 0. Amla has dropped a sitter. Abbott floated a full delivery outside off and Rohit pokes at it, the edge flies to slip where Amla drops a sitter.
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13:37 hrs IST: WICKET! What a way to go! Virat Kohli plays a good shot but it took some smart work from short leg to dismiss him. Kohli c Vilas b Piedt 44 (62).
Kohli is very unlucky. Tossed up from Piedt on middle and leg, Kohli unfurls a slog sweep and it hits Temba Bavuma at short leg who takes evasive action, he jumps and the ball ricochets off the thigh guard and Dane Vilas dives forward to take the catch. Piedt gets his third wicket.
13:25 hrs IST: Woahh! That ball kept very low. Elgar bowls a short delivery and it shoots through low, Rahane attempts to pull it to long leg but gets hit on the shin as he is defeated by the low bounce. It is better that one plays under-arm cricket!
13:16 hrs IST: The fifty-run partnership is up between Kohli and Rahane. This stand is reviving India and both batsmen are playing comfortably.
13:06 hrs IST: The partnership is slowly reviving India. Rahane has now registered his highest score in Tests in India.
13:00 hrs IST: Interesting battle going in between Morkel and Kohli. Both are trading punches and the contest is currently a stalemate. This period is proving to be the most interesting for both teams.
12:51 hrs IST: Morkel is bowling with good pace and is nearing the 90 mph mark. He is extracting some good bounce from this deck and he is troubling Kohli a bit.
12:42 hrs IST: Virat Kohli takes the attack to Morne Morkel. He smashes him for a couple of boundaries and he has made good progress. If India are to emerge out of this hole, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane must counterattack.
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12:32 hrs IST: WICKET! South Africa are on a roll and Pujara's defence has been breached by Abbott. Pujara b Abbott 14 (37).
Lovely bowling from Abbott. He bowls this full ball around the off stump corridor and Pujara uncertainly goes for the drive, the ball takes the inside edge onto the back pad and flattens off stump. India are 66/3 and in some trouble.
12:26 hrs IST: WICKET! Once again, Dhawan has done all the hard work and he perishes. Lovely bowling from Piedt, who gets his second wicket. Dhawan lbw Piedt 33 (85).
This delivery grips and straightens, Dhawan plays inside the line and gets trapped in front. India are 62/2 and Piedt continues his impressive bowling.
12:21 hrs IST: Ouch! Nasty welcome for Pujara after lunch. Morne Morkel gets this bouncer to climb up sharply and it hits the batsman flush on the glove as he takes his eyes off the ball. Meanwhile, Dhawan is resuming his solid battle.
12:10 hrs IST: Welcome back for the post-lunch session. India will be looking to capitalise on a solid start and Dhawan will be the key.
11:42 hrs IST: Dhawan has really buckled down and played a solid hand. For a guy who scored a blazing 187 on debut against Australia and who has established a reputation as an aggressive player, he has really toned down. He looks determined for a big score.
11:30 hrs IST: What a way for Pujara to sign off the session. He slog sweeps Tahir into the stands at deep mid wicket. It is a rare sight to see Pujara hitting the big shot. At lunch, India have reached 60/1 with Dhawan holding firm at 31*
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11:23 hrs IST: School kids have flocked to the ground to catch the action. It is a pleasing sight when children attend in large numbers.
11:21 hrs IST: Morne Morkel is back for a short burst before lunch. Dhawan has curbed his attacking instincts and dug in on this track. Can he capitalise today? He has not had a good Twenty20, ODI and three Tests so far. He could shine in his home ground today.
11:14 hrs IST: The slow rate of scoring today at the Kotla is pretty ironic. Sehwag, who would smash bowlers for fun, is in attendance and he would be wondering whether he played in a different era.
11:05 hrs IST: Cheteshwar Pujara has looked busy ever since his arrival at the crease. He is using his feet to the spinners well. Another wicket for South Africa will do their confidence wonders
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10:56 hrs IST: WICKET! Dane Piedt strikes and Vijay falls to a loose stroke. Vijay c Amla b Piedt 12 (59).
Tossed up offbreak that drifts away slightly, Vijay is lured into the drive and he pushes hard at it, the edge flies to slip where Amla latches on to the catch. India are 30/1
10:46 hrs IST: A bouncer followed by a ball that is just swinging back in close to the off stump. It is a perilous leave from Vijay. Abbott gets another delivery to lift awkwardly from the deck and it hits the batsman on the glove. He has bowled really well in this spell, but luck is not with him.
10:37 hrs IST: In two strokes, Dhawan has raced past Vijay. He is slowly growing in confidence. So far, Piedt has struggled to create any chances while Abbott is plugging away.
10:29 hrs IST: Caught of a no-ball! Can you believe it? What misfortune for Abbott and South Africa. Lovely ball, swinging away outside off and Vijay stabs at it, the edge flies to second slip where AB de Villiers takes the catch. Umpires wanted to check for the no-ball but his front foot was on the line. After countless replays, it is established that no part of the foot was behind the line. Vijay gets a life on 10.
10:20 hrs IST: Morkel and Abbott are bowling an immaculate line and length. First signs of spin as Dane Piedt, the offspinner comes into the attack.
10:09 hrs IST: Virender Sehwag continues his nostalgic journey. He recounts his cricketing journey and speaks about his journey from Najafgarh to the Kotla. Bus No 783 is a special bus for him as he took that regularly for practice during the U-19 trials. He thanks the BCCI and DDCA for the recognition and is especially happy that the ends have been named Viru 309 and Viru 319.
10:00 hrs IST: Dhawan has still not got off the mark as he continues to struggle. We might be in for another low-scoring game. Six overs have been bowled, only six runs have been scored. Attritional rate of scoring.
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09:52 hrs IST: Murali Vijay has gotten past 200 runs in the series. He is the leading run-getter so far and he has demonstrated his value to the Indian batting. Abbott and Morkel are probing away but the openers are hanging in there.
09:44 hrs IST: Meanwhile, the Kotla was decked up for Sehwag's felicitation. Here are some of the tweets from the Nawab of Najafgarh himself. The ends of the Kotla have been named Viru 309 and Viru 319 respectively
Thanks to ddca for this pic.twitter.com/DCs8uLRBaG
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 3, 2015
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 3, 2015
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 3, 2015
09:40 hrs IST: Decent over from Kyle Abbott. The line is slightly awry and Dhawan comfortably negotiates it. So far, the openers seem to be content on playing out the first hour.
09:35 hrs IST: Good first over from Morkel. He gets some seam movement and beats Vijay a couple of times. However, the bounce is a bit low. The pace was not too bad from the tall fast bowler, close to 143 kmph
09:30 hrs IST: Out come the Indian openers, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan. Vijay is the leading run-getter in this series while Dhawan has continued to struggle. Morne Morkel, who bowled very well in Nagpur will open the bowling. Two slips and a gully in place.
09:23 hrs IST: Sehwag was a Delhi stalwart and he would have lots of memories of the Kotla. However, he had a peculiar record at the venue. Three Tests, average of 40 with a high score of 74 against Zimbabwe in 2002.
09:18 hrs IST: The build-up to the Kotla Test has been dominated by the 22 yards of the playing surface. The ICC Match Referee, Jeff Crowe, rated the Nagpur surface poor. The Australian players, notably Matthew Hayden and Glenn Maxwell, have criticised the nature of the wickets while India are not too concerned. In fact, a livid Virat Kohli took a dig at the ICC for terming the Nagpur pitch poor.
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09:15 hrs IST: Virender Sehwag was felicitated by the BCCI just before the start of the match. He thanks all his coaches, players and friends for his cricketing journey. The fans at the Kotla yell in delight as Sehwag speaks. Sehwag, who represented Delhi for 17 years, was a bit emotional when he spoke. His family is also in attendance.
09:10 hrs IST: In the pitch report, Sunil Gavaskar said that the colour of the wicket is a little different than the one in Nagpur. There is a bit of surface moisture and the cracks will widen as the game progresses. This is a bat-first wicket and Kohli has ticked that box.
09:00 hrs IST: India have won the toss and chosen to bat in Delhi. They have one change. Amit Mishra is out and Umesh Yadav comes in. For South Africa, there are three changes. Kyle Abbott, Dane Piedt and Temba Bavuma are in the side. So no Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Stiaan van Zyl. Here are the playing XIs:
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav
South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla(captain), AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Dane Vilas(wicketkeeper), Dane Piedt, Kyle Abbott, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel
08:57 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa from Feroz Shah Kotla. The hosts will be aiming for their biggest series win against the Proteas while the visitors will be looking for an honourable exit.
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In a series where the ball has dominated the bat, the Kotla Test promises to be no different. Delhi is expected to dish out a slow turner and India hope to profit from their three spinners who have ran South Africa ragged in the entire Test series.(Ruthless India Aim for Huge Series Win)
For the Proteas, this is redemption time. Having lost their stunning nine-year winning streak in Tests overseas in much-maligned Nagpur, South Africa will love to bow out playing like the world's No. 1 Test side. The challenges, of course, will be enormous.(Ashwin Looks to Pile on the Misery)
Nothing has gone right for the South Africans. Injuries to Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander took a lot of sting out of their bowling attack, but all credit to their spinners, particularly part-timer Dean Elgar, who kept India's fancied batsmen under check.(Steyn Out of Delhi Test)
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In a series where most top order batsmen have struggled, India's spin troika of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja have made the difference between winning and losing. They have taken 47 of the 50 South African wickets to fall. That tells how India have enjoyed home conditions, much to the dislike of critics around the world.(Kohli Takes a Dig at ICC Over Pitch Row)
The failure of South Africa's batting mainstay - Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy - has only compounded the team's worries. They have been unable to fight the gremlins in their mind and lost matches in the dressing room. The Proteas would be surely trying a new combination ahead of the home series against England.(Du Plessis Admits Indian Conditions the Most Difficult he Has Faced)
Sunil Gavaskar said during the Nagpur rout that there are no moral victors in cricket's record books. All that matters are runs, wickets and catches. On turning tracks, Indians have ticked all the three key factors better than their rivals. India's relentless run should continue at historic Kotla.(Gavaskar Hails Ashwin as World's Best Spinner)