Fired-up Steyn wrestles control from India

South Africa's Dale Steyn appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India's Virat Kholi during the second day of the second cricket test match in Durban, December 27, 2013. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

DURBAN (Reuters) - Fired-up South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn took three wickets in 10 balls to rip through the Indian top order on day two of the second test at Kingsmead on Friday. The Proteas picked up four wickets for the addition of 90 runs in the session, India reaching tea on 271 for five, to drag themselves back into the game with the aggressive Steyn the catalyst for their success. After rain had washed out the morning's play, Steyn charged in and ended his barren run of 414 deliveries in between wickets in the series when he had Cheteshwar Pujara (70) caught by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers pushing forward to a pitched-up ball. It brought to an end a fine second-wicket stand of 157 between Pujara and Murali Vijay that had so frustrated South Africa on the opening day. Vijay moved to within three of his century before he succumbed to Steyn's short-pitched attack, gloving the ball down the leg-side to De Villiers. And the very next ball Rohit Sharma (zero) misjudged the bounce as he shouldered arms to a delivery that always looked destined to crash into middle stump. Virat Kohli was on course for his third half-century in as many innings in the series before he was out 10 minutes before tea for 46, another catch down the leg-side by De Villiers, this time off Morne Morkel. Ajinkya Rahane (23) and captain MS Dhoni (zero) will resume after the interval. Steyn, who lost top spot in the world rankings for test bowlers to compatriot Vernon Philander after the drawn first test at the Wanderers, has figures of three for 87 in the innings. Play is scheduled to continue until 1800 local time (1600 GMT) as the umpires try to get 75 overs into the day's play after losing 29 on Thursday to bad light.