Rahane shines for India

Ajinkya Rahane struck the first century of the low-scoring series to help India reach 326-8 at lunch on the second day of the final Test against South Africa.

New Delhi - Ajinkya Rahane struck the first century of the low-scoring series to help India reach 326-8 at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium on Friday.

An industrious batsman often overshadowed by his flashier team mates, the 27-year-old right-hander fell after a cultured 127, crafted over five hours with the help of four sixes and 11 boundaries.

Ravichandran Ashwin hit his sixth Test fifty to prove he was no dud with the bat and was batting on 53 with Umesh Yadav (five) at the other end.

Resuming on 231-7, Rahane stitched a third 50-plus partnership in the match with Ashwin before bringing up his fifth test century with an immaculate straight drive past fast bowler Kyle Abbott.

Rahane swung his bat and raising his arms looked skywards in a mixed sense of relief and elation, having failed to go past 15 in the ongoing series.

Celebration followed with the batsman launching off-spinner Dane Piedt over mid-wicket and long on for two sixes in three deliveries.

Ashwin, currently the leading wicket-taker in the series, was nearly caught at slip and survived a vociferous leg-before appeal from Imran Tahir as well but went on to hit the leg-spinner for a six to bring up his fifty.

A soft dismissal ended Rahane's sparkling knock with the batsman driving Tahir to AB de Villiers at cover before trudging off to a rousing ovation.

The 98 runs he added with Ashwin was also the highest partnership in the spinner-dominated series. – Reuters