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Mon, 07 December 2015
India crush World no. 1 South Africa by 337 runs to win series 3-0

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15:14   India crush World no. 1 South Africa by 337 runs to win series 3-0

- India win Delhi Test by 337 runs after SA fold for 143

- India win Test series 3-0 with one match washed out

SA 143-all out (143.1 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


Yadav getting the ball to come in sharply, suing the reverse swing to good effect. And it does not take long for him to break through Kyle Abbott's defences as the leg stump cracks in the middle following the impact of that blow.

Abbott walks back for a duck as South Africa slip further to 140 for eight, in 141 overs.

The match has suddenly seen a lot of action after the tea interval with South Africa losing three wickets in three overs.

India need just two wickets to complete a 3-0 series victory and they have around 20 overs to do so.

Ashwin finishes off the South African innings with the wicket of Morkel, who offers no shot to a delivery which goes straight on and hits the off-stump.

South Africa are bowled out for 143 in 143.1 overs to lose by a huge margin of 337 runs.

India complete a comprehensive 3-0 series victory with the Bangalore Test washed out.

What a stunning turnaround since the tea break, when South Africa looked comfortable on 136 for five before losing their last five wickets for eight runs in the space of 31 deliveries.

Yadav triggered the collapse with a three-wicket burst while Ashwin claimed the key wicket of AB and then cleaned up Morkel to complete a deserved-five wicket haul to finish the series with 31 wickets, while his spin partner Jadeja claimed 23 wickets.
14:46   Ashwin dismisses de Villiers as SA collapse

SA 140-7 (140 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


Pacer Umesh Yadav strikes in the very first over of the post-tea session. Dane Vilas inside edges it back on to this stumps to be bowled for 13.

Yadav bowled it a bit short and got it to come in sharply as Vilas tried to defend but got an inside edge which crashed back on to the stumps.

India are among the South African tail and it remains to be seen how AB bats from now on. Will he farm the strike or will he bat like he has been doing?

Ashwin deals South Africa's hopes a big dent with the big wicket of de Villiers. The extra bounce accounts for de Villiers as he gets a glove and is caught at leg slip after a marathon knock of 43 runs from 297 balls.

With just three wickets left and the pitch doing things, India will fancy their chances of wrapping this one up quickly.
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14:14   De Villiers holds forte as SA reach 136-5 at tea on Day 5

TEA - DAY 5

SA 136-5 (138 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


AB punches a full delivery from Ashwin down the ground past the vacant mid-off region, for his sixth boundary.

In the next over, Jadeja drops short as Vilas goes back and hits him behind point for a four. The next ball turns sharply as Vilas is beaten and so is the keeper to give away four byes.

Yadav is back and AB is again beaten by the sudden rising delivery from the India pacer. The physio is called out again to attend to AB, who was hit in Yadav's previous spell too.

The next ball strikes AB on the pads as he looks in clear discomfort now and is seen hobbling around his crease.

Jadeja continues to trouble the batsmen with the ones that turn away sharply as this time Vilas is left all at sea. A big appeal from Jadeja and captain Kohli but the umpire is unmoved.

The next ball is full and Vilas taps it down the ground through the vacant mid-off region for a boundary.

Ishant comes back, to bowl the final over of the post-lunch session. De Villiers is struck on the pads as he comes forward to defend. What saves him is that the impact was slightly outside the line of off-stump.

At tea on the final day, South Africa reach 136 for five in 138 overs.

De Villiers continues to frustrate the Indians, having made 43 from 269 balls, while Vilas is on 13 from 45 balls.

India did manage to grab a couple of wickets in the post-lunch session but they need another five in the final session and with light fading fast, South Africa will fancy their chances of forcing a draw.
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13:35   Duminy and Faf perish but de Villiers holds forte for SA

SA 119-5 (130 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


After a long time, Ashwin finally strikes with the wicket of JP Duminy, who is out for a duck.

The left-hander shuffled across and went right back as he looked to defend but was beaten and trapped right in front of the stumps.

It took India 120 overs to claim the first four wickets but two wickets in the space of six overs in the post-lunch session has opened the door for India.

South Africa in a bit of trouble at the moment as they are reduced to 112 for five, in the 125th over.

New batsman Dane Vilas does not take time to get off the mark as he drives the third ball he faces through the covers for two runs and repeats the shot off the next delivery for two more runs.

In his next over, Ashwin gets one to rear off the pitch, hitting Vilas on the arm as he looked to defend.

Jadeja beats Vilas twice in his 42nd over getting the ball to spin sharply and also some bounce. He was very close to getting the edge both times.

India keeping a few fielders in the deep for AB, who takes a single from the second ball off Jadeja to bring back Vilas on strike. Jadeja won't mind that as he beat Vilas twice in his previous over and came very close to getting the edge, but the right-hander manages to play out the over.

South Africa are 119 for five in 130 overs with AB on 39 from 270 balls and Vilas on four from 23 balls.
13:00   Jadeja dismisses du Plessis, SA lose 4th wicket

SA 111-4 (120 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


How long before India give up on their pursuit of victory? Already 30 minutes gone in the post-lunch session and nothing even close to beating the bat till now.

Another hour or so without a wicket and we enter into a territory where South Africa will feel really confident of securing a draw.

India will take confidence from the fact that they need another two wickets to get into the South African tail and then anything is possible. So two good deliveries is all that India need to get themselves back into the running as far as winning the match is concerned.

No signs of Jadeja yet as Ishant and Ashwin bowled in tandem without creating much of an impact.

A rare drop of water in the oasis as AB flicks a full delivery from Ishant though square leg for two runs, as the crowd finally get something to cheer for.

Jadeja back in the mix as he replaces Ishant. This is like an action replay of what we have been seeing so far with Jadeja sending down another maiden.

Ashwin beats AB with one which turns and bounces a bit more as the Indians appeal for caught off bat-pad which is turned down. He drives the next ball through the covers for two runs.

Faf breaks Jadeja's sequence of 16 maiden overs in a row as he gently taps him straight down the ground past mid-on for a four. The first runs off Jadeja's bowling after a day, he last conceded in the 19th over after which he bowled 16.1 overs without giving away a single run.

Jadeja has bowled 37 overs in total, out of which 29 have been maidens. Overall, on Day 5, he has bowled 14 overs, giving away just four runs.

Ashwin gets one to spin sharply, off the footmarks, as de Villiers offers no stroke and watches the ball spin from way outside the off-stump and goes across to leg stump.

Jadeja gets one to turn and bounce beating du Plessis, who tries to defend it followed by a single each to the two batsmen.

Jadeja does the job yet again as he breaks through with the wicket of du Plessis, who is trapped leg before wicket after scoring 10 from 97 balls.

The arm ball from Jadeja was way quicker and struck du Plessis right in front of the stumps beating his defensive push after he had added 35 runs in 35.1 overs for the fourth wicket with de Villiers.
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12:34   SA cross 100 in 109th over as AB, Faf frustrate India

SA 100-3 (109 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


Ishant to kick -off proceedings after the lunch break and facing him is de Villiers, who was struck twice on the fingers in the final over of the morning session.

De Villiers opens the face of the bat and steers a wide delivery from Ishant through the vacant gully region for a four.

Ashwin comes from the other end. Du Plessis offers no stroke but the delivery scoots off the ground and luckily for the South Africans the impact is way outside the off-stump.

Du Plessis strokes Ashwin down the ground through mid-off for two runs to bring up South Africa's 100, in the 109th over.
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11:39   De Villiers, du Plessis guide South Africa to 94-3 at lunch

LUNCH - DAY 5

SA 94-3 (107 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


AB edges Ashwin past the slips for a single bring du Plessis on strike for the first time against the off-spinner as he defends the last ball of the over.

Jadeja gets a break after figures of 34-27-10-1, he didn't concede a single in 11 overs he bowled on Day 5, while making the breakthrough with the key wicket of Amla.

Pacer Yadav comes into the attack as Kohli looks to make a breakthrough.

Du Plessis finally gets off the mark from the 52nd ball he faces as he drives a full toss through the covers for a single to the fielder in the deep in the covers.

Another single for du Plessis as he turns a short ball from Yadav to the fine leg region.

A short break for Jadeja, who has not conceded a run in his last 15 overs and he promptly starts with another maiden, his 28th in 35 overs.

Yadav gets one to jump off the good length spot as AB is struck on the gloves while trying to defend. That is a painful blow as he throws his bat away immediately and winces in pain. The physio comes out to attend him before AB continues after a small break.

Yadav gets another once to bounce awkwardly, hitting AB on the gloves yet again, who throws his bat away. Strangely, India do not have a fielder stationed at short leg or anywhere close in else that could have been an easy catch for the forward short leg fielder. Poor thinking by the Indian captain Kohli under the circumstances.

At lunch on Day 5, South Africa reach 94 for three in 107 overs, having scored just 22 runs from 35 overs in the morning session.

De Villiers took a few blows on his fingers from Yadav in the final over but showed great application to remain unbeaten on 26 from 203 balls, while du Plessis also followed the same tactics to score two from 61 balls.

Jadeja didn't concede a single run in the 12 overs he bowled in the session, while picking up the wicket of Amla, the only dismissal of the session.

Ashwin failed to pick up a wicket in the session, he has figures of two for 43 in 35 overs.

India still have a minimum of 55 overs left in their kitty to claim the remaining seven wickets but the slow wicket has made their task a lot more difficult.
11:08  
Sarang Bhalerao @bhaleraosarang on Twitter:

RECORD ALERT: This is the lowest total after 100 overs in a Test innings - 90/3
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11:06   De Villiers, du Plessis continue to frustrate India on Day 5

SA 90-3 (100 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


Du Plessis struggling against Jadeja as he is beaten yet again trying to defend. Jadeja and the close-in fielders immediately go up in appeal and is almost pleading but the umpire Bruce Oxenford is confident that there is no bat on it. Replays confirm that the bat hit the pad as the ball passed, superb decision by the umpire.

AB rocks back to a short delivery from Ashwin and drives him through the covers for a four to give the run rate a boost. And surprisingly, after that boundary Kohli posts a fielder deep in the covers. Wonder why?

Even before you realise it, Jadeja has raced through another maiden over, to du Plessis and Ashwin does the same. This is what you will witness for the most part of play today unless India can pick up a wicket or two and create panic.

Ashwin gifts Ashwin a full toss which he drives straight down the ground past a vacant mid-off region for a rare boundary.

After 100 overs, South Africa are 90 for three, with another 391 runs needed for victory in a maximum of 62 overs left in the day.

AB continues to defend, having made just 25 from 182 balls, while Faf is yet to score from 40 balls.
10:50  

SA 82-3 (94 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard


Ashwin also starting to create some problems for the batsmen now. There is a an appeal for caught at leg slip as AB tries to defend one spinning into him but the umpire turns it down.

Faf is struggling to read Jadeja as he is struck on the pads yet again but the confident appeal is rejected.

No runs against Jadeja yet on Day 5 as he sends down seven maiden overs on a row, for figures of one for 10 in 30 overs.

Ashwin switches to round the wicket and gets one to go straight with the angle, beating de Villiers, who has a soft nibble at it. He even tries the conventional leg-break but AB deals with it all.

30 overs each for the two spinners, with Jadeja registering 23 maidens out of them, while Ashwin has 18 maiden overs to his account.

South Africa are 82 for three in 94 overs, with AB on 17 from 164 balls and Faf yet to open his account from 23 balls.
10:31  

SA 80-3 (89 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Jadeja creating some problems consistently as new Faf du Plessis survives a huge shout for LBW with the ball looking to slip down the leg side. But importantly enough, he once again managed to beat the bat, something which Ashwin hasn't managed so far on Day 5.

And now Ashwin manages to beat the batsman. AB is squared up as he looks to defend and gets the edge which goes past the slip fielder for a four.

Jadeja creates another chance as Faf gets the edge but it drops short of Rahane at first slip. This is splendid bowling from Jadeja on a slow wicket, varying his pace and flight to create some problems for the batsmen.
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10:28   Jadeja ends Amla's long vigil, SA lose 3rd wicket

SA 76-3 (85 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

India take the second new ball immediately and bring Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.

The first over with the red new cherry is easily dealt by Amla, who continues to defend everything with a straight bat.

Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack as well. He is giving it a plenty of flight but nothing can tempt de Villiers to try anything fancy.

Jadeja gets one to turn sharply and bounce beating Amla, who came forward to defend it but is able to see off the rest of the over without any problems.

The spin twins rushing through their overs at a good rate, but India want them to create more chances and claim a wicket or two with the new ball.

Jadeja getting close as he beats Amla, once again the turn beats the South African captain. Finally, the left-arm spinner is rewarded for his persistence as Amla is beaten comprehensively by the turn as the ball spins past his bat and crashes into the stumps.

Amla's long vigil at the crease ends, after a marathon stay of 244 deliveries during which he scored just 25 runs, as South Africa are reduced to 76 for three, in the 85th over.

Sunil Gavaskar believes why Amla was beaten by that delivery is because he didn't get a long enough stride to defend the ball as Jadeja got enough turn to beat the bat and kiss the off-stump.
10:05   Amla, de Villiers continue to defend as SA aim for a draw

SA 76-2 (80 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

South Africa have already shut shop as Yadav tries something different by switching to round the wicket and targetting a few short deliveries at Amla's body.

Amla tries to duck under a short ball but it hardly bounces as it hits the right-hander on the back.

Ishant from a short run-up trying to get the ball to reverse. He is trying a lot of things to make that breakthrough as he switches to round the wicket now but AB safely sees him through.

India getting a bit impatient here as captain Kohli brings himself into the attack to bowl slow medium pacers. India will do anything to break this partnership at the moment which is slowly starting to frustrate them.

Two singles came from the first over of the day but the six overs since then have been maiden overs.

A surprise as Cheteshwar Pujara comes into the attack with the field well spread around. He is looking to bowl some leg spinners and starts with a long hop with AB plays with utmost respect driving it with a straight bat down to long-on for one to end the sequence of maiden overs and Amla also help himself to an easy single.

South Africa are 76 for two in 80 overs as the second new ball becomes available for the Indians.
09:46  

SA 74-2 (75 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Captain Amla has already batted for four hours and South Africa will need him to spend another four hours at the crease on Day 5 to ensure their safety.

A surprise move from Kohli as Yadav opens the bowling for India with eight overs to go for the second new ball.

Amla turns the first ball to fine leg for a single before AB de Villiers nearly edges one as the ball cuts in sharply and goes on the bounce to the keeper. He also flicks the last ball on the leg side for a single to retain strike.

It will be fast bowlers from both ends. And Ishant starts off with a maiden, which I am sure, will be the first of many on Day 5 with South Africa set to continue their policy of defending bowled at them.

Yadav tries a bouncer to Amla, who easily sways out of the way as he plays out another maiden over.

No help for the pace bowlers even though it is quite hazy in Delhi and Amla and AB will be happy to play against the two fast bowlers. They are definitely getting some amount of reverse swing but not enough to create any problems.
09:11  

SA 72-2 (72 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

India's two spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will hold the key with the odd ball still doing things.

Both the spinners bowled 23 overs each on Day 4 with Ashwin claiming both the wickets to fall but Jadeja bowled a tight spell from his end.

India will regret not enforcing the follow-on and bowled at the South Africans on Day 3 when the pitch was a little better and the opposition low in confidence.

However, the match is still in their grasp and a few early wickets on Day 5 should open the floodgates.
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09:09   Will South Africa survive Day 5 and enforce a draw?

SA 72-2 (72 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of the fifth and final day of the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla, in Delhi, on Monday.

South Africa will look to resume their stubborn resistance on Day 5 and look to enforce a draw. They batted for 72 hours on the fourth day and scored the same amount of runs and need another 409 runs for an unlikely victory.

Captain Hashim Amla was instrumental in South Africa's spirited resistance as he blocked everything that came his way to be unbeaten on 23 from 207 balls, while AB de Villiers also adapted the same tactics to score 11 from 91 balls.

India need eight more wickets for victory to complete a 3-0 series victory but their task is getting increasingly difficult on a pitch which has slowed down considerably.

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