NEW DELHI , Dec 4: Ajinkya Rahane brought up the first century of the series Friday as India reached 326-8 at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final test against South Africa.
Rahane struck 127 off 215 deliveries with 11 fours and four sixes in what was his first three-figure score at home and fifth overall in 22 tests.
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Resuming on the overnight score of 231-7, Rahane and Ashwin saw off the danger of the second new ball and went about punishing the spin attack on a bright and sunny day in New Delhi.
The partnership helped post a formidable total considering the previous highest innings score in the series was 215 in the third test at Nagpur by India, which already has a decisive 2-0 lead.
Rahane moved from 96 to 100 with a sweetly-timed straight-driven four off pace bowler Kyle Abbott before raising his hands in celebration.
The 27-year-old opened up after reaching the three-figure mark, once hitting offspinner Dane Piedt for two sixes in an over — over mid-wicket and long-off.
He was out caught at short cover off legspinner Imran Tahir when he was stroking the ball beautifully.
Rahane showed full confidence in partner Ashwin, who has two test centuries and showed his utility with the bat as he struck a six and six boundaries off his 121 balls so far.
Ashwin, who produced some fine drives off the back-foot early in the day, was lucky to escape a difficult chance while on 14.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla took a low catch at first-slip off Abbott, but replays showed the ball touched the ground. Amla himself was not sure whether the catch was clean.
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