New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS): Skipper Virat Kohli (39 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (22 not out) led India’s second innings resurgence after pacer Morne Morkel had struck early blows for South Africa at tea on the third day of the fourth and final cricket Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here on Saturday.
Coming together when the hosts were reeling at 57/4, Kohli and Rahane produced a 59-run partnership to take India to 116/4 at tea.
Morkel beat the batsmen frequently with his pace and movement for figures of 3/22. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir had figures of 1/29.
Starting their second essay with a 213-run first innings lead, India lost early wickets as Morkel bowled a fiery spell in the pre-lunch session. Fellow pacer Kyle Abott was also bowling well at the other end as the Indians took time to open their account.
The hosts lost two quick wickets when Morkel sent back opener Murali Vijay and the off-colour Rohit Sharma in quick succession.
Vijay was surprised by the extra bounce of a Morkel delivery that appeared to brush his gloves on the way to the wicketkeeper. But television replays later showed that the ball did not touch his gloves.
Rohit fell victim to the first ball he faced, a beautiful delivery from Morkel that generally held its line with a slight outward movement after pitching on the good length spot.
Rohit probably expected the ball to angle in, and could only watch helplessly as his off-stump was uprooted.
Morkel struck again immediately after lunch with an accurate, in-swinging yorker right into Dhawan’s blockhole that clipped off the bail on the leg-stump.
Kohli was lucky to get a let-off when he edged Tahir to the wicketkeeper. But the delivery was adjudged to be a no-ball.
Pujara looked promising during his 28-run knock which included three hits to the fence. But the Saurashtra batsman was outfoxed by a faster delivery by Tahir that pitched on a fuller length before hitting the off-stump.
Pujara’s departure saw Rahane join Kohli in the middle and the duo proceeded to try and salvage the Indian innings.
Rahane, who had scored a century in the first innings, looked good for another big knock, although he had a narrow escape when Morkel almost found the outside edge of his bat.