India v South Africa 4th Test, Day 2 Review: Visitors in tatters as India continue dominating

Ajinkya Rahane became the first player to a century in this series and along with Ravichandran Ashwin started the day on a bright note for India. The elegant right-hander from Mumbai cut loose immediately after reaching the milestone. Looking to get a move on, he smashed Dane Piedt for 2 sixes in one over. By the time he was dismissed on a brilliant 127 that included 11 fours and 4 sixes, he had put India in a very solid position in the match. He was caught at cover by AB de Villiers off the bowling of Imran Tahir.

Ashwin decided to play some shots and in the process hit 3 superbly timed fours and a massive six to bring up his half-century. Umesh Yadav defended obdurately as the two took the score to 326/8 at Lunch. The session clearly belonged to the home side having added 95 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Amla tried all his resources, however, couldn’t break India’s resistance. In the fourth over after lunch, though, Kyle Abbott took the wickets to Ashwin and Ishant Sharma to end the Indian innings on 334. He proved that he deserves a place in the team on a regular basis with this classy bowling effort- 5/40 in 24.5 overs.

The South African openers Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma survived a brilliant first spell from Ishant who was steaming in with pace and intent. Yadav also kept operating in 140s and used the short ball to good effect. Elgar was lucky to survive one such well-directed short ball that landed just ahead of Pujara at short leg after it was fended off awkwardly by him. Bavuma hit a couple of superb boundaries and looked more settled than his opening partner. A full delivery from Yadav gave the breakthrough as Elgar tried to push at it, however, nicked it to Saha who took a rather simple catch. Alma had a reprieve off Ashwin as Rohit at short-leg couldn’t hang on to a sharp chance and South Africa reached 38/1 at Tea.

Jadeja started the proceedings after Tea and started the downfall of the visitors by picking up the wicket of Bavuma. The right-hander, who scored 22, stayed back in the crease and missed a ball that skid through to uproot the off-stump. While AB started positively Amla continued to struggle and was eventually dismissed for 3 off 34 balls. Trying to cut Jadeja he nicked it to Saha and walked off without even looking at the umpire. Faf du Plessis became the left-arm spinner’s 3^rd wicket. A paddle-scoop was a poor choice of shot and du Plessis paid the price by giving a simple catch to Rahane who went from the conventional slip position towards the leg slip area.

Yadav in the middle of a superb spell produced a terrific delivery to beat JP Duminy’s defence and rattle the stumps. Ishant did the same to Dane Villas while Abbott was found plumb in front by Ashwin leaving the Proteas in dire straits at 84/7. Wickets of Piedt and AB gave Jadeja another 5-wicket haul. AB made 42 with the help of 5 crisp boundaries and was caught brilliantly by Ishant on the long-off boundary; a catch that the entire team including the ones inside the dressing room thoroughly enjoyed.

Ashwin wrapped up the innings on 121 with the wicket of Tahir as India took a lead of 213 runs deciding against enforcing the follow on. Play was called off since the light wasn’t good enough to allow the South Africans to use their fast bowlers.

Brief Scores:

India – 334/10 in 117.5 overs (A Rahane 127; K Abbott  5/40).

South Africa– 121/10 in 49.3 overs (AB de Villiers 42; R Jadeja 5/30)

India lead by 213 runs.