Defiant Rahane steadies India after early jolts

Ajinkya Rahane produced a defiant performance as India reached 231 for seven before bad light forced an early end to the opening day of the fourth and final Test match against South Africa here at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, India failed to sustain the momentum despite receiving a good start. The hosts continued to lose wickets at crucial junctures after lunch as off-spinner Dane Piedt dazzled in his Test return by claiming four wickets.

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Rahane made a 70-run partnership with skipper Virat Kohli (44) for the fourth wicket before he constructed a crucial 59-run stand with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (24) for the seventh wicket.

Fast bowler Kyle Abbott provided an able support to their bowling attack as he ended the day with figures of 3-23.

Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin will resume their innings on their respective scores of 89 and six.

India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series after comprehensively defeating the tourists by 124 runs in the third Test. With the win, India also ended South Africa's nine-year winning streak in away Test series.