India build lead towards series shut-out

Cricket365
December 8, 2015

India held a lead of 403 runs at stumps on day three of the fourth Test in Delhi, and while South Africa managed four wickets, they could not prevent 190 runs from being scored on the day.

India began their second innings when play began, already holding a lead of 213 runs after opting not to enforce the follow-on the night before. While Morne Morkel struck thrice, India rebuilt well as the day progressed.

Virat Kohli was on 83 when bad light stopped play with nine overs to go, while Ajinkya Rahane was on 52, adding to the ton he scored in the first innings. Kohli had survived a dismissal early in his knock, when it was revealed that Imran Tahir had overstepped.

It was a drudging day for the Proteas, who are set to finish this tour without a Test win on the board, a rare occurrence for them. Aside from Morkel's two early strikes, they could not capitalise on India's wobbles.

Morkel removed Murali Vijay for three in the fifth over, and then bowled Rohit Sharma for a golden duck in his next over. This left India on eight for two, and Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan had to rebuild.

They advanced the score into the 50s in a slow morning session, before Pujara was bowled by Tahir just after lunch. He had scored 28, while Dhawan was removed by Morkel, also bowled.

With the score on 57 for four, the visitors would have held some hope of ending the knock quickly, but Kohli and Rahane knuckled down for the rest of the day, and built the highest partnership, and first century stand, of the series.

Kohli's near miss was early in his knock, as he was one five when he was given out caught behind. He was unhappy with the call and indicated for DRS, despite that not being possible in this series, and seemed to demand that the umpire check for no ball.

This check was done, and it showed that Tahir had committed the cardinal spin sin of overstepping, and Kohli was reprieved. Whether he faces censure for his poor language towards the umpire, and clear dissent, remains to be seen.