We have had to wait a while for a batsman to score a century in this Freedom Test series between India and South Africa, but Ajinkya Rahane ensured the wait was more than worth it, compiling a beautiful hundred on home soil for the first time in his career on day two of this fourth and final Test match at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.
Rahane and his lack of runs at home has been a topic of conversation, but the Mumbaikar ended all doubts of his capabilities in Test match cricket on the slow pitches with an emphatic, sturdy and guileful 127 (215b, 11x4, 4x6).
The century would not have been possible if not for R Ashwin, who played equally well at the other end, scoring a half-century of his own, with the two batsmen putting on 98 runs together, the highest partnership of the series.
Neither looked too troubled by the South Africa bowlers, with the pacers – Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott – and spinners getting little to no purchase of the wicket.
The only highlight from South Africa's perspective on day two morning was the wicket of Rahane, after the right-hander fell to Imran Tahir following a mistimed lofted drive, which fell into AB De Villiers' hands.
Kyle Abbott then brought a little more cheer at the start of the second session, picking up two wickets in an over to end India's first innings on 334.
The cheer vanished pretty quickly, though, as South Africa struggled, yet again, with the bat, with Ravindra Jadeja bowling wonderfully-well to put the visitors on the mat.
Only AB De Villiers, cheered on by the crowd again, did anything of note with the bat, but even the phenom couldn't do enough as South Africa were bowled out for a mere 121, 213 runs adrift of India's total.
Watch the highlights of Day 2 HERE
Watch Rahane's century moment HERE
Watch Rahane's innings highlights HERE
