Skipper Virat Kohli's promising innings was cut short by a freak dismissal as India were reeling at 139 for six at tea against South Africa in the fourth and final cricket Test, here today.
Kohli had raced to 44, his highest score in the series, and looked good but was dismissed by South Africa's most successful bowler -- off-spinner Dane Piedt -- who had figures of 4/56 to show for his efforts.
It was a flighted delivery and Kohli hit a full blooded sweep shot. But to his horror, the ball popped up after rebounding off the thigh of forward short-leg fielder Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper Dane Vilas rushed from his position to dive forward and completed an impressive catch.
Kohli struck seven boundaries in 62 balls, adding 70 runs with Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket.
At the break, Rahane was undefeated on 31 with three boundaries.
But it will certainly be Rohit Sharma (1), whose irresponsible shot selection will be talked about for a long time to come.
Having been dropped at slip on 0 by Hashim Amla off Kyle Abbott's bowling, Rohit decided to give Piedt the charge by lofting a flighted delivery but only to be caught by the fielder stationed at long on for that exact shot.
Wriddhiman Saha (1) was done in by a sharp inswinger from Abbott (2/21) as umpires called for tea.
It was Kohli, who certainly looked the best player amongst the top order batsmen hitting a flurry of fours -- as many as five within the first 35 balls. There were a couple of assured drives and a short-arm pull off Morkel. A whip off the back-foot off Piedt also raced to boundary.
He found an able ally in Rahane, who also found some form going his way, as the duo added 50 runs for the fourth wicket in only 48 minutes facing 67 balls.
Not only did they score quickly, they also showed the earlier batsmen that there were no demons in the pitch which made it even difficult to fathom some of the poor shot selections especially by Rohit, who has now wasted another golden opportunity to settle down in the Test team.
The turn was very slow, which gave Kohli and Rahane enough time to adjust and play their strokes.
Earlier, having restricted the run flow during the first session, the Proteas bowlers attacked in the post lunch session as they dismissed Dhawan (33) and Pujara (14) in quick succession to reduce the hosts to 66 for three.
