India vs South Africa Photos

Delhi Test: Ajinkya Rahane Puts India on Top

December 03, 2015 17:03

Ajinkya Rahane finally broke his 'jinx' at home as he notched up his maiden fifty in India to put the hosts in command against South Africa on day one of the fourth Test.

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Before the start of the fourth Test, Delhi witnessed a proud moment when Virender Sehwag was felicitated by the BCCI for his outstanding contributions to the game. The Nawab of Najafgarh thanked all the people and organisations who had played a big part in his cricketing career. (All picture credits: BCCI and PTI)
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Sehwag, who represented Delhi in the Ranji Trophy for 17 years, was present with his family and it was an emotional moment for him. The Feroz Shah Kotla paid tribute to the Delhi blaster by naming the bowling ends as Viru 319 and Viru 309.
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India won the toss and chose to bat on a sluggish wicket. Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan started off on a solid note but scored at a slow pace. In the process, Vijay went past 200 runs in the series.
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Vijay was reprieved early in the innings when he edged Kyle Abbott to slip. However, replays showed that the bowler had overstepped and the decision was overturned.
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Dane Piedt, who replaced Simon Harmer in the team, got the key wicket of Vijay for 12 as he edged to Hashim Amla at slip.
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Dhawan, who has struggled for form in this series, curbed his natural attacking instincts and ground out a patient innings. By lunch, India had reached 60/1 with Dhawan unbeaten on a solid 31.
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However, following the lunch break, South Africa roared back and they struck by removing Dhawan for 33. Abbott, who had bowled well in his first spell, castled Cheteshwar Pujara for 14.
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School children flocked to the ground to catch all the action. However, it was not smooth progress as India found run-scoring difficult on a sluggish wicket.
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India suffered a mini-collapse during the middle session but Virat Kohli, along with Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a 70-run partnership. Kohli took the attack to the bowlers while Rahane was happy to play second fiddle.
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The partnership was broken in a freakish way. Kohli pulled Piedt to short leg where Temba Bavuma leapt to take evasive action, the ball thudded into his thigh and lobbed up, Dane Vilas dived forward to take the catch. It was an unlucky way for Kohli to go but the partnership had revived India.
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The session belonged to South Africa as Abbott struck before the tea break by bowling Wriddhiman Saha for 1. India had lost five wickets for 79 runs and South Africa had seized the initiative.
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After the tea break, India were well served by another partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane. The Saurashtra left-hander, who had made 38 and 34 in Mohali and Nagpur, chipped in with another useful knock.
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Rahane finally had his moment when he notched up his maiden Test fifty in India. His previous highest was 15 and it was confounding to see him fail on these pitches. It was his eighth fifty overall and his 59-run stand with Jadeja got India back on track.
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Bad light forced early stumps but India were on top, finishing on 231/7. This was the highest team score in this series while Rahane, with 89, achieved the highest individual score in this series, going past AB de Villiers' 85 in Bangalore.

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