Jasprit Bumrah delivered two late strikes to leave South Africa reeling at 94/4 ahead of day five of the Centurion Test with the hosts still requiring 211 runs for a victory.
Resuming at 16/1, the Indian batters had a clear task ahead – extend the lead as much as possible. KL Rahul and nightwatchman Shardul Thakur were watchful for the first few minutes as the South African pacers maintained a disciplined line and length.
Shardul would start to open up with a six against Marco Jansen. But the inconsistent bounce on the pitch would soon start to show up as Kagiso Rabada dismissed Shardul for 10 with a delivery that kicked off a length.
Ngidi would then continue his brilliant form from the first innings nicking off Rahul for 23. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli now had the job of ensuring that no further wickets would fall in the first session with the Proteas pacers starting to find their rhythm.
They did precisely that while putting a few bad deliveries away as India headed to the break with the score at 79/3 and a lead of 209 runs.
The hosts would have the perfect start to the second session as Jansen got Kohli out the very first delivery after lunch. Attempting a drive against a wide delivery again proved to be Kohli's bane as he walked back to the pavilion for 18.
Ajinkya Rahane would walk out with an aggressive intent, playing a few gorgeous shots from the off. He couldn't build a partnership with Pujara though as the latter was dismissed trying to nudge the ball down the leg side on a delivery that was down his leg. Getting a tiny edge, Pujara was gone for 16.
Rahane would follow in the next over as a short delivery from Jansen did the trick. Going for the hook, Rahane holed out to Rassie van der Dussen in the deep after a well-made 20.
Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin then embarked on a vital 35 run partnership which would further extend India's lead. Both would play their shots as the runs started to flow. Rabada would finally end the stand with a peach of a delivery that caught Ashwin's glove and looped to gully, bringing an end to his knock of 14.
With Ashwin gone, Pant turned up the tempo even further playing some glorious strokes. The uneven nature of the pitch would be his undoing as Rabada's delivery bounced awkwardly leading to his dismissal for 34.
The Proteas would then dismiss the Indian tail relatively quickly but the visitors had succeeded in their task of pushing the lead past 300. The target was set with the hosts needing 305 runs for a victory with a day and a half left to play.
Mohammad Shami would get India off to a terrific start as Aiden Markram chopped one onto his own stumps for 1. Skipper Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen then had to survive a tough examination from Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in their short burst before tea. There were some close calls but they got through the phase heading to the break at 22/1.
The pair would start the final session steadily, defending with great poise. The all-important breakthrough for India would be delivered by Siraj thirty minutes into the final session. Petersen, who was looking quite settled at the crease, got a delivery that shaped away quite late. This would induce an outside edge into the hands of Pant, ending his knock at 17.
Elgar would be joined by Rassie van der Dussen and the pair would establish another crucial partnership for the hosts. The Indians tried their best, changing the bowlers around to get another wicket. But the two batters were quite sturdy and determined in their approach, leaving the ball and defending well.
India needed some magic to end the resolute stand and skipper Kohli turned to Jasprit Bumrah. And as he has done so often, the pacer turned up the heat. He first got Rassie van der Dussen with an absolute wonder delivery which jagged back sharply in off the surface to knock over his stumps. The South African batter was in disbelief as he walked back to the pavilion for 11.
Elgar would then bring up a gritty half-century joined by nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj. In the final over of the day, Bumrah would strike again with a sizzling yorker which knocked over Maharaj's stumps, turning the tide in India's favour.
On the fifth and final day, India now need six wickets for a victory while South Africa require 211 runs, with their skipper Elgar being the key man.
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