India v South Africa 4th Test, Day 1 Review: Rahane's robust knock gives India the honors on 1st day

Ajinkya Rahane did well to cover up his poor home record, as he stroked his way to an unbeaten 89 from 155 balls. Six overs were left in the days play, when umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford called stumps on the opening day of the 4th Test match at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Skipper Virat Kohli’s freak dismissal allowed the visitors to run through the Indian middle order. Murali Vijay couldn’t get the better of Dane Piedt while Cheteshwar Pujara was undone by Kyle Abbott. Shikhar Dhawan got out to a close call as the ball hit his pads before meeting the bat, and was trapped in front by Piedt.

Kyle Abbott and Dane Piedt did well to back the selectors, as they shared all the seven Indian wickets between them. India were tottering at 136/4 while Rohit Sharma came in. He was dropped by skipper Hashim Amla on 1, and never looked settled. He tried to clear Piedt while playing across, but the ball went down the throat of Imran Tahir, who took a safe catch. The situation demanded a stable craftsmanship from Sharma, but he was let down with his selection of shot.

The seventh wicket stand between Rahane and Jadeja fetched 59 vital runs. Ravindra Jadeja did well to support Ajinkya Rahane, with the former finding the gaps thrice before giving a catch to Elgar off Abbott.

Imran Tahir couldn’t celebrate his inclusion in the ICC ODI team of the year, as the leg spinner proved to be expensive. He bowled seven over and went for 36 runs, with some loose balls in every over.

Elgar and Duminy also rolled their arms, but it was Piedt who stole the show. He bowled 34 overs, scalping four wickets including both the Indian openers. Fast bowler Abbott had figures of 8-3-11-0 in his first spell; the variable bounce made the batters little uncomfortable, as he kept testing the batsmen with his line. He finished the day with figures of 3/23 from 17 overs, turning out to be the most economical bowler for the visitors.

But the highlight of the day was Ajinkya Rahane’s composure, who stood tall during the two most vital partnerships of the days play. First with the home lad Virat Kohli (70 runs for the 4th wicket) and then with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (59 runs for the 7th wicket).

He towered Piedt for a couple of bulky blows while picking up nine useful boundaries. India will look to stretch the score, the lower order needs to come in like they have done on many occasions in the series, with Rahane going strong at one end. The visitors will look to wrap up the remaining 3 wickets before the Mumbai batter spells fire and bats them out of the match.

Brief Scores:

India – 231/7 in 84 overs (Rahane 89*; Piedt 4/101).

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