Rahane consolidates India’s innings against South Africa

However, the last session was a big one for India as Rahane took charge with a mixture of determined defence and aggressive counter-attack to tinish the day with the highest individual innings of the series to date – 89 not out off 155 balls, 9 fours and 2 sixes.

The pair shared all 7 wickets to fall as India closed the day 6 overs early because of bad light on 231/7 after Virat Kohli had won his fourth toss in a row.

Impressed with off-spinner Dane Piedt, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said South Africa made a mistake by not playing the youngster earlier in the four-Test series. But there is no doubt when he retires to bed on Thursday night, he will be visualizing reaching his first hundred in front of his home crowd, and raising his bat to acknowledge their cheers. For the record, this is only the third half-century by an Indian batsman in the series so far and 8th half-century of Rahane’s Test career.

There were two significant partnerships for India – 70 between Kohli and Rahane for the fourth wicket and 59 between Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja (24) for the seventh wicket.

While he played second fiddle to Kohli during their stand, Rahane took charge once Wriddhiman Saha (1) was castled by Abbott’s reverse swing. Anything close to 300 would prove to be a challenging total and with in-form bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja in the side, the visitors will have an uphill task at hand.

Kohli’s exit precipitated a mini-collapse of three for three, but if India felt that was a sign it was not their day, Rahane failed to read the script as he studiously set about piecing the innings together with an unbeaten 89.

India could have been in more trouble but for South Africa captain Hashim Amla, who dropped Rohit Sharma and Rahane while fielding in the slips. Wickekeeper Dane Vilas came rushing from behind the stumps and dived to make the catch.

Vijay earned a reprieve on 10 when he edged a delivery from Abbott to AB de Villiers at second slip.

Bangar said the Indian team, which finished the day at 231 for seven, hoped its lower-order batsmen to put up a fight on the second day. A whip off the back-foot off Piedt also raced to border.

Rahane stood tall among the ruins even as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.

Kohli and Rahane then came together to try and steady the boat. Dhawan’s 33 came off 85 balls with four boundaries to his credit.

“There are several talented players who have taken time to blossom”. The dismissal due to the gap between bat and pad was something identical that had actually troubled the Saurashtra gamer in Australia, in 2014.

Abbot’s superb economy rate of 1.35 is the best by any bowler delivering at least 15 overs in an innings at Ferozshah Kotla, Delhi, bettering the 1.36 produced by New Zealand’s Harry Cave during his figures of 50-28-68-1 in December 1955.