India's Jadeja, Rahane turn screws on South Africa

NEW DELHI: Spinner Ravindra Jadeja ripped through South Africa´s batting line-up after Ajinkya Rahane hit the first century of the series as India compounded the visitors´ misery in the fourth and final Test Friday.

Jadeja picked up five wickets for 30 runs as India bowled out the tourists for 121 off 49.3 overs in New Delhi. AB de Villiers was the only batsman to offer much resistance, making 42 off 78 balls.

The top-ranked visitors, who have already lost the series, trail by 213 runs in the first innings although their hosts have decided not to enforce the follow-on.

Left-armer Jadeja recorded his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests to tighten the screw on the Proteas.

Paceman Umesh Yadav (2-32) gave India the breakthrough by having opener Dean Elgar caught behind for 17 before uprooting the off-stump of J.P. Duminy for his 50th Test wicket. Jadeja dismissed the other opener Temba Bavuma (22) and also removed skipper Hashim Amla, who nicked behind to the wicketkeeper.

Amla scored just three from 34 balls, yet another single figure score on what has been a hugely disappointing tour for him.

Jadeja grabbed three more wickets in fading light, much to the delight of a sizeable crowd in the Indian capital. Ravichandran Ashwin (2-26) and Ishant Sharma (1-28) also joined the party, helping India end the day on a high.

The hosts were bowled out for 334 five overs into the post-lunch session with recalled paceman Kyle Abbott taking two wickets in three balls to send back Ashwin (56) and Sharma (zero).

It was the second career five-wicket haul for Abbott, who had picked three wickets on the opening day.

After resuming at the overnight 231-7, India added 103 runs while losing three wickets, including that of Rahane (127).

Rahane, 27, reached his fifth Test century and his first on home soil with a classic straight drive off Abbott. The stylish right-hander, on 89 overnight, raised his arms in celebration before waving his bat towards cheering fans.

No batsman had previously reached three figures in a low-scoring series which India have sealed already after winning the first and third Tests.
Rahane thrived on the Kotla track, which seemed to have evened out after offering inconsistent bounce and turn to bowlers on the opening day.

His fine innings came to an end when he handed a straightforward catch to de Villiers in the covers off leg-spinner Imran Tahir. His 127 runs came off 215 balls and was studded with 11 fours and four sixes.

Ashwin, the leading wicket-taker of the series with 26 scalps, showed his skill with the bat as well, reaching his sixth Test half-century with a six off Tahir. (AFP)