STUMPS - DAY 3

India 190-4 (81 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Spinners from both ends with Tahir and Elgar in operation as India reach 186 for four in 80 overs. The second new ball is available as South Africa bring back Morkel, who is allowed to bowl after the umpires check the light.

Morkel bowls a short wide delivery which Kohli steers it past the slips for a four to take his score into the 80s and also guides India's lead past the 400-run mark.

He starts with a few deliveries with the old ball before taking the second new ball for the fifth ball of the over.

At the end of the over, the umpires check for light before calling for stumps.

India end Day 3 on 190 for four in 81 overs, for an overall lead of 403 runs.

Captain Kohli is unbeaten on a fine innings of 83 from 154 balls, having hit 10 fours, while Rahane has shown great patience to score 52 from 152 balls.

The duo put on the first 100-run stand of the series as they put on an unbroken stand of 133 runs in 300 deliveries for the fifth wicket to further strengthen India's dominant position.

It remains to be seen if India will opt to bat on Day 4 or declare straightway on their overnight score, with a handy lead on a pitch not exactly easy to bat.

India 178-4 (78 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Are India looking to go on the attack? Rahane finally decides to cut loose as he slog sweeps Tahir over midwicket for a boundary, only his third from 124 deliveries to take his score to 35.

Part-timer Elgar comes back into the attack. Kohli picks a single on the leg side before Rahane despatches a full toss through midwicket and gets a boundary. He turns the last ball to midwicket for a single to retain the strike.

The intent certainly looks a bit more positive now as Rahane and Kohli pick four singles off Tahir, in the 73rd over.

In Tahir's next over, Rahane smashes one straight back past mid-on for a boundary.

India are comfortably placed on 178 for four in 76 overs, taking their lead to 391 runs with 14 overs still remaining in the day.

India 157-4 (70 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

A few ineffective overs from Elgar before he makes way for leg-spinner Tahir. He nearly strikes in his comeback over as he gets one to turn sharply, beating Rahane, who comes forward to defend. Infact, Tahir along with the close-in fielders went up in appeal but umpire Dharmasena turned it down.

Piedt comes into the attack, making it spin from both ends. The focus of the South African bowlers seems to be stopping the flow of runs and build some pressure.

But with enough time on hand, the Indians are hardly bothered. Kohli breaks the sequence of a few tight overs, as he sweeps Piedt behind square on the leg side for a four.

That boundary also brings up the 100-run partnership between the two, the first of the series.

India reach 157 for four in 70 overs, to stretch their lead to 370 runs.

Kohli is batting well on 71 from 120 balls and despite being bogged down lately has been able to maintain a good strike, while Rahane continues with a defence-first approach to score 31 from the same number of deliveries.

India 141-4 (63 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Kohli is looking in total control at the moment, however, Abbott manages to beat him, getting an edge but it goes past the slips for a four.

It is part-timer Elgar ahead of regular spinners like Piedt and Tahir as South Africa are looking to keep one end tight.

Rahane is content to take the singles as he gives the strike back to his captain Kohli, who gets two runs from the fourth ball followed by a single.

It is easy going for the Indians with the scoreboard moving at a good rate to stretch their lead.

After 63 overs, India are 141 for four for an overall lead of 354 runs.

Kohli is looking quite solid on 60 from 95 balls, while Rahane has played second fiddle on 26 from 103 balls.

India 127-4 (57 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Piedt to resume proceedings after the tea break. Kohli edges the first delivery of the session which goes wide of the fielder at first slip for a boundary. The next ball is up in the slot as Kohli drives it off the front foot through the covers for another four.

He turns the fifth delivery behind square on the leg side for two runs as 10 runs come from the first over of the final session of the day.

It will be Abbott from the other end. He gets one to kick off length, catching batsman Rahane and even himself by surprise as the keeper gathers it high around his chest.

Kohli goes back and punches Elgar to sweeper cover for a single to bring up his fifty, his first in the series, from 70 deliveries.

India are 127 for four in 57 overs, having stretched their lead to 340 runs.

TEA - DAY 3

India 116-4 (54 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Piedt bowling a disciplined line and length but hasn't had the same amount of success he enjoyed on Day 1 when he claimed four wickets.

Meanwhile, part-timer Dean Elgar is called into the attack with around 10 minutes for the tea interval.

Kohli drives the second ball to long-off for a single before Rahane defends the rest of the over.

In the next over, Kohli glances Tahir fine on the leg side as he bowled it down the leg side to get a boundary.

Rahane easily played out the final over of the session, from Elgar, to take India to 116 for four in 56 overs, stretching their lead to 329 runs.

Rahane, who hit a century in the first innings, made 22 from 81 balls, while Kohli was unbeaten on 39 from 63 balls with the duo putting on 59 runs from 138 balls for the fifth wicket so far.

It was once again a slow session as far as the runs were concerned with India scoring 65 runs in 28 overs for the loss of two wickets in the post-lunch session.

India 108-4 (50 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Despite the century in the first innings, Rahane has struggled to get going in the second innings. However, he makes sure of not letting the scoring opportunity go waste as a low full toss from Morkel is clipped through square leg for a four.

While Kohli has looked fluent, scoring 32 from 52 balls, Rahane has been a bit more reserved to make 21 from 68 balls as India reach 108 for four in 50 overs, swelling their lead to 321 runs with six wickets still in hand.

India 100-4 (48 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

The two spinners, Piedt and Tahir, bowling in tandem but the two Indian batsmen are looking quite comfortable. Though runs are not coming at a good rate, but India have been able to build their lead gradually. They have time on hand, and certainly look in no rush at the moment.

Morkel has a big appeal for caught behind against Rahane turned down. The right-hander was all squared up as Morkel got some swing, going past the edge. That was a top delivery and deserved a wicket!

Things happening now as Piedt gets the edge of Kohli's bat, which goes past the slip fielder for a four.

In the next over, Kohli takes a single to mid-on to bring up India's 100, in the 48th over, scoring at just over two runs per over.

India 69-4 (35 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Tahir is again unlucky as Rahane has a close shave. He went to pull a short ball but got an inside edge which hit his pads and lobbed close to the pitch but wicketkeeper Vilas was unable to get to the ball and force his way past the batsman.

Rahane punches the fifth ball down the ground past a diving fielder at mid-on for a couple.

Kohli plays his trademark drive through the covers for a four as Abbott offers him a bit of width as India continue to build their lead.

Two singles from Tahir's 10th over who has been able to bowl with much-better control in the second innings, conceding just 20 runs at two runs per over, while claiming the wicket of Pujara.

India 69-4 (35 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Tahir deals India another big blow with the key wicket of captain Virat Kohli, who is given caught behind for for five.

He stares in disbelief at the umpire after he is ruled out but the umpires tell him to stay back, just to check on the no-ball.

And the replays suggest that Tahir had overstepped the bowling crease and Kohli gets a lifeline as the delivery is ruled a no-ball.

That could prove to be a big miss for South Africa, giving lifeline to a batsman of the quality of Kohli.

He rubs more salt on Tahir's wounds as he flicks the last ball of the over through midwicket for a four.

Abbott comes back as he comes in place of Morkel. The fourth ball is overpitched and wide as Rahane leans forward and plays an elegant drive through the covers for a four.

India 57-4 (32 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Captain Virat Kohli, who got a huge cheer while entering the middle from his local fans, gets off the mark with a boundary as he steers a wide delivery from Morkel past the point region.

In the next over, Tahir cleans up Pujara with one that goes straight on and crashes into the stumps. That was a lot quicker than normal and just skidded on as Pujara opted to stay back and defend but was comprehensively beaten, to make his way back after scoring 28 from 79 balls.

This is the third time in a row that Pujara has been bowled in his last three innings.

India 53-3 (29 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

No surprise that Morkel resumes proceedings straightaway after the lunch interval. He was superb with the new ball and gave the Indian batsmen a lot of problems while picking up the two early wickets.

He starts off with a maiden as Dhawan continues his defensive tactics, not being tempted by anything wide.

In the next over of the sessions, Pujara gets the first run of the session with a single to the covers off Tahir, while Dhawan drives the fifth ball down to long-on for one as two runs come from the over.

Dhawan concentrating on leave deliveries outside the off-stump, forcing Morkel to switch to round the wicket. And the move pays off as three balls later, Morkel claims the wicket of Dhawan.

A quick yorker sneaks through Dhawan's defences ending his painful vigil at the crease during which he scored 21 from 86 balls.

Dhawan did well to get his leg out of the way to avoid the yorker which would have resulted in some injury.

LUNCH - DAY 3

India 51-2 (26 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

An animated Dhawan gestures angrily towards the Indian dressing room as he called for the spray after being struck on the arm by Tahir but the reserve Indian players were late in reacting. However, he cooled off after the over break and even tapped KL Rahul on the shoulder!

Even team director Ravi Shastri had a go at Rahul in the dressing room for not reacting quickly to Dhawan's signal but all seems well as Rahul comes out to give Dhawan the helmet.

Pujara taps Tahir on the off-side for one before Dhawan plays the flick but the fielder at midwicket does well to keep it down to one.

Except for the two early wickets it has been a relatively drama-free session for the Indians as they reach 51 for two in 26 overs at the lunch break, scoring at less than two runs per over.

Dhawan has adopted a defensive approach to be unbeaten on 20 from 72 balls, while Pujara has made 27 from 68 balls.

The duo have put on 43 runs for the third wicket to rally India after Vijay and Rohit were dismissed in successive deliveries by Morkel, who took two for 10 in seven overs.

India 45-2 (23 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir comes into the attack after a three-over second spell from Abbott, to bowl the 21st over.

Dhawan hits the first ball to the point region for one before Pujara defends the rest of the over, trying to get his eye in against the leg spinner.

It will be spin from both ends as Piedt continues. He has bowled steadily without making much of an impact with the odd delivery turning but has been dealt with easily by the two Indian batsmen.

Dhawan gets an edge off Piedt but it falls well short of Amla at first slip for a single. In the next over, Dhawan chips down the wicket but gets an inside edge before he is nearly done in by one which turns sharply and bounces from the rough and beats the left-hander, who shapes to cut but has to withdraw.

India have made slow but steady good progress to reach 45 for two in 23 overs to stretch their lead to 258 runs with around 10 minutes left for the lunch interval.

India 40-2 (17 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Piedt drops short as Pujara rocks back and pulls it through midwicket for his first boundary. He does not seem to be troubled by the injury he sustained yesterday and it would have made more sense to send him at No. 3 instead of Rohit.

Abbott draws Pujara, who looks to drive and gets the edge but it goes past the slips for a four. Three balls later he gets the inside edge which misses the stumps narrowly and goes behind the stumps for a four through fine leg for the second four of the over.

India 25-2 (15 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Piedt has a huge appeal for LBW against Dhawan turned down in his second over as the left-hander looked to leave the delivery but misjudged the line.

A long first spell for Morkel and why not! He has been superb with the new ball and South Africa are hoping for another wicket or two to make a comeback in the match.

He finally gets a break after a good first spell of two for 10 in seven overs and makes way for Abbott.

A full delivery to start his second spell and for once Dhawan goes for the drive, hitting it straight down the ground past mid-off for a four.

India 18-2 (10 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Spin introduced early as off-spinner Dane Piedt comes into the attack in place of Abbott, who bowled a lively spell of four overs for six runs.

Dhawan and Pujara pick a single each to take the score to 18 for two in 10 overs.

Once again Dhawan has cut down on his strokeplay and resisted against throwing his bat at anything wide, scoring just seven from 30 balls, while Pujara is on eight.

The South Africa's pacers, especially Morkel, have been superb with the new ball and India's batsmen have had quite a few close shaves while losing two wickets in the process.

India 13-2 (7 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Rohit Sharma walks in at No. 3 and this could be his last chance to salvage his place in the Test team. Cheteshwar Pujara was hit on the arm while fielding at short leg on Day 2 and was unable to bat at his regular position.

Abbott overpitches as Dhawan plays the cover drive for India's first boundary in the second innings, in the sixth over.

Rohit lasts just one delivery as he is bowled by a superb delivery from Morkel. A full delivery from the tall pacer as Rohit looks to defend but the ball moves enough to crash into the stumps.

Rohit walks back for a duck to leave India in a spot of bother at eight for two in the seventh over.

Interestingly, Cheteshwar Pujara walks in at No. 4 and he didn't have to wait much for his turn to bat.

He gets off the mark with five runs as he attempts to take a quick run and is gifted overthrows which goes for a boundary.

India 4-1 (5 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

India's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, come out to open the innings. With a handy 213-run land, India need another 150-200 runs to set the Proteas a target beyond their reach.

Morne Morkel opens the bowling for the visitors and he starts with a maiden to Vijay, who defends watchfully. Birthday boy Dhawan also does the same, playing out an over from Abbott.

Vijay turns a short delivery off his pads on the leg side for a single to get off the mark. Dhawan looks to pull Morkel but is beaten before letting the next ball go through.

Vijay gets an inside edge as he tries to defend Abbott, but picks up two runs in the process. Dhawan gets off the mark, in the fifth over, off the 15th delivery he faces with a quick single.

Morkel gets the early wicket for South Africa with a quick bouncer. Vijay tried to duck under it but the ball hit the gloves on the way to dismiss him for three as wicketkeeper Dane Vilas came up with a superb catch.

Infact, Vijay straightaway indicated that the ball came off the arm guard and walked off disappointed as India are reduced to four for one in five overs.

SA 121-all out (49.3 ovs) vs India 334 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, on Saturday.

India have been the dominant side in the match so far. The hosts posted a healthy 334 in their first innings before bowling out the Proteas for a paltry 121 to seize a massive 213-run first innings lead.

The Indians opted not to enforce the follow-on and will look to bat South Africa out of the match.

Also, the pitch will get increasingly difficult making South Africa's task that much more difficult in the second innings.

Ravindra Jadeja did the star turn with a five-wicket haul, after Ajinkya Rahane's brilliant century, as India took control of the fourth Test against South Africa. Jadeja produced a mesmerising spell of 5 for 30 as the visitors were dismissed for a paltry 121 in 49.3 overs.

After Rahane's 127 helped India post a decent 334 in their first innings, the Proteas did not even last two full sessions, falling 14 runs short of saving the follow-on score of 135.

While left-arm spinner Jadeja accounted for the bulk of the spoils with pin-point accuracy, it was a magical delivery by pacer Umesh Yadav (2-32) and Ishant Sharma's (1-28) sharp bowling that was the highlight of the final two sessions.