India off to cautious start in fourth Test

India posted 60/1 at lunch on the opening day of the fourth and final cricket Test against South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here on Thursday.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara were at the crease at the break.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, India were off to a slow start with South African pacers Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott keeping a tight line.

Indian openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan struggled to negotiate the nagging line and length, inching their way to 29 in the first 15 overs.

Vijay was lucky to get a reprieve on a personal score of 10 when he nicked an outgoing delivery from Abott to AB de Villiers at second slip which was adjudged to be a no-ball.

The Tamil Nadu batsman suffered a nasty blow when he was surprised by the extra bounce of an Abbott delivery. The ball reared up from around the good length spot and brushed his gloves before hitting Vijay on the abdomen.

Off-spinner Dane Piedt gave the visitors the breakthrough when Vijay edged one to South Africa captain Hashim Amla in the slips.

Dhawan, who has struggled throughout the series was in much better form on the day. The left-hander hit several of boundaries, including an elegant drive through the covers off Morkel.

Pujara, one of the most successful Indian batsmen in this series, continued his fine form at the other end. A bit cautious at the start of his innings, Pujara grew more confident as the innings wore on, smashing a full toss from leg-spinner Imran Tahir for a six in the last over before lunch.