DELHI : Powered by Ajinkya Rahane’s cultured century, and Ravindra Jadeja’s five wicket haul , India see themselves taking control of Kotla test after Day 2 . India posted the highest total of the series(334) before skittling South Africa for 121 on Friday .
Rahane (127) crafted the first century in the low-scoring series over five hours and also featured in a 98-run eighth-wicket stand, the highest in the series, with Ravichandran Ashwin (56).
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (5-30) then orchestrated South Africa’s rout in glorious sunshine at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium as the hosts dominated the second day’s play but did not enforce the follow-on.
India paceman Umesh Yadav dismissed Dean Elgar (17) to draw first blood but it was Jadeja’s triple strike soon after tea that completely unhinged the visitors.
Temba Bavuma (20) dragged a Jadeja delivery onto his stumps, Hashim Amla (three) fell after a 34-ball ordeal and Faf du Plessis recorded his third duck of the series after playing an outrageous scoop shot.
India’s pace bowlers, content playing second fiddle in the series, drove home the advantage, with Yadav uprooting J.P. Duminy’s off-stump and Ishant Sharma castling Dane Vilas.
With wickets tumbling at one end, A.B. de Villiers waged a lone battle before holing out for 42.
Earlier, India resumed day two on 7-231 and Rahane, on 89 overnight, stitched a third 50-plus partnership in the match with Ashwin before bringing up his fifth Test century with an copy-book straight drive past fast bowler Kyle Abbott.
An industrious batsman in a line-up full of flamboyant strokeplayers, the 27-year-old raised his arms and looked skywards with a mixed sense of relief and elation, having failed to go past 15 in the series so far.
Celebration followed with Rahane launching off-spinner Dane Piedt over mid-wicket and long-on for sixes.
He fell to a soft dismissal, driving Imran Tahir to De Villiers at cover after crafting a stellar knock over five hours with the help of four sixes and 11 boundaries.