
India took control of the Feroz Shah Kotla Test as they bundled out South Africa for 121 thanks to a five-for from Ravindra Jadeja. Earlier, riding on Ajinkya Rahane ton, India posted a formidable total of 334 to put South Africa under pressure.
Scorecard: India vs South Africa
The day, as it happened (Newest on top)
1658 hrs IST: And its Stumps. Bad light has forced an early stumps once again, also India didn’t want to enforce follow on.
1644 hrs IST: And that’s it. it’s all over, South Africa fail to save follow on. Ashwin chips in with another wicket. Imran Tahir is out for 1.
1635 hrs IST: WICKET! The wicket that India wanted, as AB de Villiers has holed out to Ishant Sharma as Ravindra Jadeja gets another one.
16o8 hrs IST: While wickets fall at one end, AB de Villiers has been blocking the other. On 34 off 56 now
1558 hrs IST: WICKET! Ashwin also gets his name on the wicket-takers list. Kyle Abbott plumb in front
1550 hrs IST: WICKET! Ishant Sharma bowls a peach of a delivery to hit the top of Dane Vilas’ off-stump. South Africa now 79/6
Ok, when was the last time, on a good surface, you saw as good a bowling performance as this from India?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2015
1543 hrs IST: South Africa 79/5 and are still trailing India by 157 runs. AB de Villiers & Dane Vilas at the crease
1521 hrs IST: WICKET! Umesh Yadav castles JP Duminy and South Africa in real trouble now
The pleasant sound of timber – And @y_umesh hears it out loud & clear. No 50 for the speedster #IndvsSA https://t.co/g53Gu2NMsr
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2015
That’s what pace can do…and that’s why it’s imperative to nurture Umesh and Aaron. #Duminy #IndvSA
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 4, 2015
1506 hrs IST: WICKET! This is trouble for South Africa! Faf du Plessis tries a sweep shot but only manages to lob it into the air. Ajinkya Rahane completes a simple catch and once again Ravindra Jadeja is the bowler. SA 62/4
This is a serious spell from Ravindra Jadeja. On a pitch that you have to work on. But what was du Plessis doing?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2015
1458 hrs IST: WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja at it again! Hashim Amla is caught behind. SA 56/3 now
The Indian team will find out today, that the media is not focussing on the pitch, but only on their wonderful performance.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 4, 2015
1450 hrs IST: South Africa reach 50 for the loss of 2 wickets
1440 hrs IST: WICKET! Just after Tea, India have struck! Ravindra Jadeja gets the set Bavuma
1410 hrs IST: Hashim Amla and Bavuma take South Africa to Tea at 38/1, still trailing India by 296 runs
1352 hrs IST: WICKET! Umesh Yadav provides India the much needed breakthrough. Dean Elgar edges a full-pitched ball and is caught behind. South Africa 36/1
1338 hrs IST: Buvama and Elgar have settled down South Africa’s nerves. SA 27/0 after 11 overs
1315 hrs IST: Elgar and Bavuma survive some close calls but now they look comfortable
This Bavuma is very classy through the on side…….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2015
1300 hrs IST: South Africa have been slow so far but watchful against the new ball
1245 hrs IST: South Africa’s new opening pair of Dean Elgar and Deva Bavuma out in the middle. Ishant to start proceedings for India
1233 hrs IST: WICKET! Ishant Sharma is adjudged LBW! Kyle Abbott picks up a five-for and India bowled out for 334.
1227 hrs IST: WICKET! Ravichandran Ashwin tries to go for a big one but a mistimed pull sees the ball skied up. AB de Villiers runs back to take the catch
1215 hrs IST: Kyle Abbott begins with a maiden after Lunch
1210 hrs IST: Players back on the field. Ashwin will look to take his score closer to the three-figure mark while Umesh will look to provide him able support
1135 hrs IST: And at Lunch India are 326/8. Thanks to a solid century from Rahane. It was the home team’s session to say the least.
1125 hrs IST: FIFTY! Ashwin chips in with another half-century; India 323/8
1119 hrs IST: And this is how Ajinkya Rahane celebrated his first Test century on home soil. It meant so much to him.
Rahane shines bright at Kotla! 1st century at home. Well played Ajinkya #IndvsSA https://t.co/ykIQx2426V
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2015
1117 hrs IST: Ravi Ashwin going strong, looks like he has a half-century under his sights.
1059 hrs IST: WICKET! Standing ovation for Rahane as his innings came to an end; Tahir had him caught off ABD
Congrats @ajinkyarahane88 on a fantastic 100👏👏This 100 is all the more special keeping in mind the situation of the game.Keep it up👍
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 4, 2015
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1015 hrs IST: And that’s it, an elegant straight drive to reach to his maiden Test century on home soil. Ajinkya Rahane take a bow!
1004 hrs IST: South Africa drop their third catch so far. Previously they have dropped Rohit on 0, Rahane on 78 and now Ashwin on 15.
1001 hrs IST: Current partnership is worth 46 runs between Rahane and Ashwin; India 244/7
0943 hrs IST: Ravi Ashwin scores the first scoring shot of the day with a wristy flick.
Winter has arrived in Delhi. My throat confirms!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2015
0940 hrs IST: Indian batsmen cautious against Morne Morkel who is banging in short.
0925 hrs IST: Players are walking out to the middle, Ajinkya Rahane, a lot will be expected of him.
Day 1 recap:
Coming off the bench, Piedt shows South Africa what they missed

Dane Piedt had last played a Test match fourteen months back. Incidentally, that was his debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Finishing with figures of 8 for 152, the 24-year-old looked confident of taking the big leap in international cricket. However, a shoulder injury he suffered while playing for the Cape Cobras at a Champions League T20 game proved to be a speed-breaker.
Lost and found: Rahane at home

For a batsman of his talent, technique and temperament, Ajinkya Rahane’s batting record in Test matches at home was abysmal. Before the ongoing fourth India-South Africa match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Rahane had played four home Tests and scored a total of 47 runs at a batting average of — it’s not a typo — 7.83 and a highest total of 15. After the Nagpur Test, India’s No.5 actually had worse numbers on home soil than their No.11.
Just like that, Viru Sehwag was gone

Only a handful of fans had taken their seats on this chilly, smoggy Thursday morning when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted a felicitation function for the recently retired Virender Sehwag, who would fill up stadiums around the world when he batted in his pomp. Which, by the way, wasn’t very long ago.