India knock on victory's door in Centurion

Centurion: India pushed forward for victory in the first Test as they picked up two wickets in South Africa’s herculean second innings chase of 305 at the Supersport Park.

South Africa were fighting a tough battle against the menacing Indian pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj.

Shami and Siraj picked up the wickets of Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen to raise India’s hopes of a famous victory.

South African skipper Dean Elgar (25) and Rassie van der Dussen (8) were at the crease as they kept the Indian bowlers at bay.

It will be a huge task for South Africa to overhaul the Indian target of 305 given the pace and uneven bounce of the pitch coupled with the wear and tear of the surface on days four and five.

But, with a rain forecast for the fifth and final day, South Africa will have a glimmer of hope if they resist the Indian bowlers on the fourth day.

INDIA POST MAMMOTH TARGET

Earlier, Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane played crucial quickfire knocks of 34 and 20 to help India set up a target of 305 for South Africa.

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwara Pujara chipped in with 18 and 16 runs respectively.

India showed patience with the bat to reach 79 for three at lunch, a second innings lead of 209 on a lively wicket providing plenty of assistance to the seam bowlers.

India added 63 runs in the session as South Africa bowled tight lines and lengths, but also spurned chances to make further inroads into the tourists’ batting lineup.

It is the kind of pitch that can move the game forward quickly, as evidenced on day three when 18 wickets fell, but rain is predicted for at least part of the fifth day.

The highest fourth innings chase at Centurion Park is 251 for eight by England in 2000, an infamous test where both teams agreed to forfeit an innings after rain to force a result.

The next highest is 226 for four by South Africa against Pakistan in 1998.

India started the day on 16 for one but lost nightwatchman Shardul Thakur (10) when he edged Kagiso Rabada to Wiaan Mulder at third slip.

Pujara got a first ball duck in the first innings and should have been out early again, but Rabada dropped a simple catch at mid-on off Lungi Ngidi when the batsman had six.

Ngidi did get his reward for a probing spell of bowling when he induced an edge from first innings century maker KL Rahul (23), Dean Elgar taking the catch at first slip. — Agencies