S Africa on stonewall mode
Pragya Tiwari, December 7, 2015, New Delhi, DHNS
Cricket Fourth Test : Rahane hammers his second century of the match as India push for victory
Ajinkya Rahane’s second innings century, laced with the charming elegance of his strokeplay, was the solitary pleasing spectacle on offer at the Ferozshah Kotla on Sunday.
As Rahane galloped to the three-figure mark for the second time in this Test, and India to their second innings declaration, South Africa were preparing to survive a little more than five sessions. What followed were long spells of defensive grind by the visitors who finally dug into the depths of their resolve in a bid to save the fourth and final Test.
India resuming on 190/4, had eyes on captain Virat Kohli, who was on the verge of his 12th Test hundred. The brilliance of Rahane (100 n.o., 206b, 8x4, 3x6) pushed him into the background. Kohli didn’t last for long; he was trapped leg before by Kyle Abbott after he added five runs to his overnight 83.
Thereafter, Rahane sped to his hundred with Wriddhiman Saha by his side and once he reached the landmark, India promptly declared at 267/5, setting Proteas a target of 481. The knock made Rahane the fifth Indian to score a hundred in each innings of a Test after Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Kohli.
In reply, South Africa occupied the crease with obduracy and ensured the match spilled into the fifth day. It was unlike any other day in this Test series; for the first time there was a wicketless session, the Proteas batsmen showed a willingness to dig in their heels, and only three wickets fell in the entire day. Saving a Test match is an art, no matter how underrated.
India exploited every resource at their disposal but South Africa hung on. It was plodding cricket much of the afternoon with Hashim Amla (23, 207b, 3x4), showing the dead bat, ball after ball, with remarkable intent and assurance. AB De Villiers curbed his attacking instinct (11, 91b, 1x4) as the duo dedicatedly blocked everything and anything thrown at them on a worn down, slow pitch. The two steadfastly edged the visitors to 72/2 in 72 overs at stumps, with India leading by 408 runs.
Rahane, who had carved out a patient unbeaten 52 on Saturday, took a mere 54 balls to reach his remaining 48 runs, hitting three sixes on way. He celebrated by raising his hands, his face though giving nothing away. The milestone also made him the highest scorer in this Test series with 266 runs. India, who declared half an hour before lunch, were quick to get a breakthrough. Dean Elgar edged Ashwin to Rahane at first slip but diminutive Temba Bavuma impressed with his composure.
It was clear the strategy was to spend time at the crease and push for a draw. Bavuma, compact with fluent footwork, had timing stamped on his strokes, specially the six he pulled off Ashwin. Alongwith Amla, who took 46 balls to get off the mark, Bavuma ensured South Africa did not lose a wicket in the second session which produced 35 runs in 34 overs. His 153 minute stay was cut short by Ashwin whose delivery drifted into the batsman, breaching his backfoot defensive block, and knocking his off-stumps.
The arrival of De Villiers didn’t lift the turgid pace of run-making either; rather he took 33 balls to open his account. But if South Africa have to save this Test, they need the seasoned pair of De Villiers and Amla to shoulder the responsibility. India toiled hard, from setting an attacking field, mixing the bowling, employing part-timers in Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, they did everything; but had limited success. Proteas’ stubbornness was frustrating and admirable at the same time. The visitors are in the last leg of their long tour, they wouldn’t retreat without a fight; India won’t like to offer them the opportunity on the final day.
score board
INDIA (I innings): 334
SOUTH AFRICA (I innings): 121
INDIA (II innings, O/n: 190/4):
Murali c Vilas b Morkel 3
(15b)
Dhawan b Morkel 21
(86b, 2x4)
Rohit b Morkel 0
(1b)
Pujara b Tahir 28
(79b, 3x4)
Kohli lbw Abbott 88
(165b, 10x4)
Rahane (not out) 100
(206b, 8x4, 3x6)
Saha (not out) 23
(51b, 3x4)
Extras (LB-2, NB-2) 4
Total (5 wkts decl, 100.1 overs) 267
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Vijay), 2-8 (Rohit), 3-53 (Dhawan), 4-57 (Pujara), 5-211 (Kohli).
Bowling: Morne Morkel 21-6-51-3 (nb-1), Kyle Abbott 22-9-47-1, Dane Piedt 18-1-53-0, Imran Tahir 26.1-4-74-1 (nb-1), Dean Elgar 13-1-40-0.
SOUTH AFRICA (II innings):
Elgar c Rahane b Ashwin 4
(17b, 1x4)
Bavuma b Ashwin 34
(117b, 4x4, 1x6)
Amla (batting) 23
(207b, 3x4)
De Villiers (batting) 11
(91b, 1x4).
Extras 0
Total: (for 2 wkts, 72 overs) 72
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Elgar), 2-49 (Bavuma).
Bowling: Ishant Sharma 12-7-16-0, Ravichandran Ashwin 23-13-29-2, Ravindra Jadeja 23-16-10-0, Umesh Yadav 9-6-6-0, Shikhar Dhawan 3-1-9-0, Murali Vijay 2-0-2-0.
Indians with centuries in each innings of a test
Batsman knocks against venue Year
Vijay Hazare 116 & 145 Aus Adelaide 1948
Sunil Gavaskar 124 & 220 WI Port of Spain 1971
Sunil Gavaskar 111 & 137 Pak Karachi 1978
Sunil Gavaskar 107 & 182* WI Kolkata 1978
Rahul Dravid 190 & 103* NZ Hamilton 1999
Rahul Dravid 110 & 135 Pak Kolkata 2005
Virat Kohli 115 & 141 Aus Adelaide 2014
Ajinkya Rahane 127 & 100* S Africa New Delhi 2015
As Rahane galloped to the three-figure mark for the second time in this Test, and India to their second innings declaration, South Africa were preparing to survive a little more than five sessions. What followed were long spells of defensive grind by the visitors who finally dug into the depths of their resolve in a bid to save the fourth and final Test.
India resuming on 190/4, had eyes on captain Virat Kohli, who was on the verge of his 12th Test hundred. The brilliance of Rahane (100 n.o., 206b, 8x4, 3x6) pushed him into the background. Kohli didn’t last for long; he was trapped leg before by Kyle Abbott after he added five runs to his overnight 83.
Thereafter, Rahane sped to his hundred with Wriddhiman Saha by his side and once he reached the landmark, India promptly declared at 267/5, setting Proteas a target of 481. The knock made Rahane the fifth Indian to score a hundred in each innings of a Test after Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Kohli.
In reply, South Africa occupied the crease with obduracy and ensured the match spilled into the fifth day. It was unlike any other day in this Test series; for the first time there was a wicketless session, the Proteas batsmen showed a willingness to dig in their heels, and only three wickets fell in the entire day. Saving a Test match is an art, no matter how underrated.
India exploited every resource at their disposal but South Africa hung on. It was plodding cricket much of the afternoon with Hashim Amla (23, 207b, 3x4), showing the dead bat, ball after ball, with remarkable intent and assurance. AB De Villiers curbed his attacking instinct (11, 91b, 1x4) as the duo dedicatedly blocked everything and anything thrown at them on a worn down, slow pitch. The two steadfastly edged the visitors to 72/2 in 72 overs at stumps, with India leading by 408 runs.
Rahane, who had carved out a patient unbeaten 52 on Saturday, took a mere 54 balls to reach his remaining 48 runs, hitting three sixes on way. He celebrated by raising his hands, his face though giving nothing away. The milestone also made him the highest scorer in this Test series with 266 runs. India, who declared half an hour before lunch, were quick to get a breakthrough. Dean Elgar edged Ashwin to Rahane at first slip but diminutive Temba Bavuma impressed with his composure.
It was clear the strategy was to spend time at the crease and push for a draw. Bavuma, compact with fluent footwork, had timing stamped on his strokes, specially the six he pulled off Ashwin. Alongwith Amla, who took 46 balls to get off the mark, Bavuma ensured South Africa did not lose a wicket in the second session which produced 35 runs in 34 overs. His 153 minute stay was cut short by Ashwin whose delivery drifted into the batsman, breaching his backfoot defensive block, and knocking his off-stumps.
The arrival of De Villiers didn’t lift the turgid pace of run-making either; rather he took 33 balls to open his account. But if South Africa have to save this Test, they need the seasoned pair of De Villiers and Amla to shoulder the responsibility. India toiled hard, from setting an attacking field, mixing the bowling, employing part-timers in Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, they did everything; but had limited success. Proteas’ stubbornness was frustrating and admirable at the same time. The visitors are in the last leg of their long tour, they wouldn’t retreat without a fight; India won’t like to offer them the opportunity on the final day.
score board
INDIA (I innings): 334
SOUTH AFRICA (I innings): 121
INDIA (II innings, O/n: 190/4):
Murali c Vilas b Morkel 3
(15b)
Dhawan b Morkel 21
(86b, 2x4)
Rohit b Morkel 0
(1b)
Pujara b Tahir 28
(79b, 3x4)
Kohli lbw Abbott 88
(165b, 10x4)
Rahane (not out) 100
(206b, 8x4, 3x6)
Saha (not out) 23
(51b, 3x4)
Extras (LB-2, NB-2) 4
Total (5 wkts decl, 100.1 overs) 267
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Vijay), 2-8 (Rohit), 3-53 (Dhawan), 4-57 (Pujara), 5-211 (Kohli).
Bowling: Morne Morkel 21-6-51-3 (nb-1), Kyle Abbott 22-9-47-1, Dane Piedt 18-1-53-0, Imran Tahir 26.1-4-74-1 (nb-1), Dean Elgar 13-1-40-0.
SOUTH AFRICA (II innings):
Elgar c Rahane b Ashwin 4
(17b, 1x4)
Bavuma b Ashwin 34
(117b, 4x4, 1x6)
Amla (batting) 23
(207b, 3x4)
De Villiers (batting) 11
(91b, 1x4).
Extras 0
Total: (for 2 wkts, 72 overs) 72
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Elgar), 2-49 (Bavuma).
Bowling: Ishant Sharma 12-7-16-0, Ravichandran Ashwin 23-13-29-2, Ravindra Jadeja 23-16-10-0, Umesh Yadav 9-6-6-0, Shikhar Dhawan 3-1-9-0, Murali Vijay 2-0-2-0.
Indians with centuries in each innings of a test
Batsman knocks against venue Year
Vijay Hazare 116 & 145 Aus Adelaide 1948
Sunil Gavaskar 124 & 220 WI Port of Spain 1971
Sunil Gavaskar 111 & 137 Pak Karachi 1978
Sunil Gavaskar 107 & 182* WI Kolkata 1978
Rahul Dravid 190 & 103* NZ Hamilton 1999
Rahul Dravid 110 & 135 Pak Kolkata 2005
Virat Kohli 115 & 141 Aus Adelaide 2014
Ajinkya Rahane 127 & 100* S Africa New Delhi 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment