DELHI : Riding on an unbroken century partnership (133*) between captain Virat Kohli (83*) and Ajinkya Rahane (52*) , India find themselves placed in a comfortable position at stumps on Day 3 of the Kotla test . India at the end of Day 3 are 190/4 , stretching the lead to 403 runs . Earlier in the day , Morne Morkel bowled an inspiring spell of fast bowling to reduce the Indians at 57/4 . Morkel removed Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma off successive deliveries leaving India 8 for 2. He also had Shikhar Dhawan soon after lunch , getting the opener yorked . India at that point were reeling at 29 for 3 after 17 overs . Soon to follow Dhawan was Pujara who was foxed by Imran Tahir to be bowled for 28 runs with the total on 57/4 . Perhaps the best batting display of the series came from captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane who put on a century stand to bail the team out of trouble and steering them to a commanding position. Kohli and Rahane added 133 runs so far , thereby becoming the first pair to bring up a century stand in this series. Kohli has been the dominant partner. He was in no trouble and dominated the South African bowlers. But the Indian captain had his share of luck too as Imran Tahir got him caught behind , only to be given not out after the third umpire signaled a no ball .A big spinning legbreak almost got the leg spinner his second wicket as umpire Bruce Oxenford upheld the appeal from the Proteas close in fielders . But a check for no ball showed Tahir’s heel landing marginally beyond the crease . More replays suggested the Indian captain hadn’t edged the ball . Kohli did survive for the moment but he might still face the censure from the match referee for his reaction . The Indian captain was in supreme touch belting the bad deliveries to the fence . His 83* have ten hits to the fence and looked all set to reach his hundred before the umpires called off the day owing to bad light . Rahane also was in brilliant form as he reached his half century following his hundred in the first innings . India already have a lead of 403 runs , meaning South Africa will need a record chase to register a consolidation win.
Brief scores : India 334 and 190 for 4 (Kohli 83*, Rahane 52*, Morkel 3-29) lead South Africa 121 by 403 runs