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Who said What: India vs South Africa 4th Test Day Two

Rahane became the first centurion in the ongoing Test series

India are in pole position to complete a 3-0 series win over South Africa after a dominant display on day two of the Delhi Test. Ajinkya Rahane’s century and Ravichandran Ashwin’s fifty propelled India to 334, the highest total of the series, before Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul bundled the Proteas for 121.

India go into day three, leading by 213 runs and all 10 second innings wickets in hand. Here is a summary of reactions after day two of the final Test – 

Ajinkya Rahane (whose 127 was his highest score in India): “Yes, it is a very special hundred for me because I made my debut in Delhi against Australia. When we were 138/6, I was recollecting those memories as even at Lord's we were 142/7, same situation. I was just thinking to just communicate with other batsmen and back my instincts.

“When Ashwin came in, I just told him that if the ball is there to be hit, I will go after it and back my instincts. I think the response from him was crucial. He was really positive from his end. He said 'you can bat whatever you like and however you like'.

Playing here was really special and those memories from Lord's innings came handy here. No one actually mentioned about my debut innings. In the dressing room everyone backed me completely, they knew that I was one knock away.

On batting on this pitch: “Shot-making was not easy, but once you are set, you decide that you are not going to get out. It was difficult for bowlers to get batsmen out. Our bowlers bowled (showed) good discipline and patience.

“For bowlers, it is important to show patience and bowl in right areas, but as batsman I feel spending time in the middle, taking my time, playing normal cricket, rather than play attacking shots. Not easy for shot-making, not difficult as well.”

On India’s tail wagging: “That's a good sign, when you know your lower-order is batting really well. I think that partnership (Umesh-Ashwin 40 odd) is crucial. If guys at 8,9,10, 11 can contribute then the opposition's morale goes down. Batting with Ashwin was really important.

“The communication was just play normal cricket. Ashwin can bat as he has got two hundreds. (It was) important to build a partnership. We thought this morning their bowlers Morne [Morkel] and [Kyle] Abbott will come hard at us, so we took our time initially. Ashwin was timing (the ball) really well. Even I took my time and then decided to play my shots as well.

Rahane was also keen to pass the plaudits, he said: “We should give credit to our bowlers. Umesh and Ishant bowled really well.”

On his slip catching: “From the start, wherever the captain has told me to field, whether it is silly point, forward short-leg , slip or gully, I have always given him a positive response. My mindset is to obey the captain.

“In Sri Lanka, Virat told me that I will field in the slips, I gave him a positive response. Then I told Sridhar (fielding coach) I want 50-100 catches per day as I can fulfil the responsibilities entrusted by team management.

“I took a lot of catches, prepared well, showed that the captain can show confidence in me. Slip fielding preparation very important. Mental adjustment, switching on (at the right moment) - you can't concentrate for six hours. When to concentrate is also important.”

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