India pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav put the hosts in a commanding position, reducing South Africa to 9/2 on day 2 of the third and final Test in Ranchi. The visitors lost Dean Elgar (0) and Quinton de Kock (4) in the five overs possible, before bad light forced an early stumps.
This after India declared their first innings at 497/9, thanks to Rohit Sharma's maiden double century and Ajinkya Rahane's ton—his first hundred at home in three years.
Shami dismissed Elgar in the first over of the South African innings with a sharp bouncer, with the batsman gloving it to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. In the second over, it was de Kock's turn to go, undone by a snorter from Yadav, which he could only fend it as far as Saha.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma slammed his maiden double hundred in Test cricket before India declared their first innings at 497 for nine. The second day's tea was also called when skipper Virat Kohli called his last two batsmen back to the dressing room, assured that his team is in control of the game.
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Overnight 117, newly-promoted Test opener Rohit, who is also the only batsman to rack up three double hundreds in the ODI format with a world record 264, batted with nonchalance and reached his double century with a six, going from his tea score of 199 to 205 in style.
The 32-year-old smashed six sixes and 28 boundaries on the way to 212 from 255 balls, breaking a slew records in the process.
Rohit's masterful knock virtually overshadowed a fine effort by Rahane (115), who scored his first Test century at home in three years, and 11th overall.
Resuming on 224 for three, Rahane (83 overnight) looked fluent during his 192-ball knock that was studded with 17 fours and a six.
The duo of Rohit and Rahane spent four and half hours in the middle for a record 267-run fourth-wicket partnership, staging India's remarkable recovery after they were reduced to 39 for three on the first day.
After Rohit's departure less than 15 minutes into the second session, Ravindra Jadeja carried forward the momentum at number six, with a 51 off 119 balls. The all-rounder fell trying to score some quick runs, but Yadav did the needful, smashing five sixes on his way to a 10-ball 31.
(With PTI inputs)
