I remained positive and did not go to a shell: Maharaj

South African tail-ender Keshav Maharaj, who braved a sore shoulder to hit a gritty 72, said not going into a shell was key to their splendid rearguard action in the second Test against India.

Maharaj said his lower-order colleague Vernon Philander (44 not out) kept him in good frame of mind.

They shared a 109-run ninth wicket stand as South Africa made 275 in reply to Idnia's 601/5 declared.

"Vernon and I said to ourselves that we'll just get through to tea and see after that. Being a lower order batsman your fingers do itch to play a big shot but Vernon kept me in a good mind space," Maharaj said after the third day's play.

"But I remained be positive, because if you go into your shell a ball with your name will come along sooner or later."
"I sat with Prasanna (analyst) last night and look at the gameplan for me going forward. I wanted to stay outside off stump to spin, I tried to stay legside of the ball for Jadeja. We saw Shami got the ball to reverse, and the wicket is deteriorating, but the longer you bat the easier it is."