India stretch lead to 264 after Morkel scalps two on day 3

The Hindu

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan in action on the third day of the fourth test match against South Africa at the Ferozshah Kotla Ground in New Delhi on Saturday. - Photo: R. V. Moorthy

Birthday boy Shikhar Dhawan was batting on 20 at the lunch break with Cheteshwar Pujara on 27, their blooming third wicket association was worth 43 runs.

India overcame Morne Morkel's fiery opening spell to reach 51 for 2 at lunch on the third day and stretched their overall lead to 264 runs in the final test against South Africa at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here on Saturday.

Birthday boy Shikhar Dhawan was batting on 20 at the break with Cheteshwar Pujara on 27, their blooming third wicket association was worth 43 runs.

Having decided against enforcing follow-on, the hosts, who have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-test series, walked out to bat for the second time in the match and lost two quick wickets to slump to 8 for 2.

Morkel drew first blood with a short delivery to dismiss opener Murali Vijay caught behind, even though the batsman pointed to his arm-guard to suggest he did not nick it before leaving the field shaking his head.

Rohit Sharma was sent ahead of Pujara, who was hit on the arm while fielding at short leg on Friday, but the batsman could not justify his promotion. The right-hander, who scored one in the first innings, was out for a golden duck after a fuller Morkel delivery eluded his tentative prod and rearranged his stumps.

Dhawan and Pujara looked largely unperturbed against the South African bowlers and will return after the break hoping to bat South Africa out of the contest.