Thanks to a brilliant century by Rohit Sharma and contributions from Pujara, Kohli, Rahane the Indian Cricket Team have ended the 4th day in a strong position played at Vizag on Saturday.
Starting on the overnight score of 385 for 8, South Africa lost an early wicket of Keshav Maharaj. Kagiso Rabada and Muthuswamy frustrated the Indian bowling line up adding 35 runs for the final wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin got his 7th wicket of innings getting the wicket of Rabada. Muthuswamy remained not out on 33. South Africa were bowled out for 431.
In their second innings, Rohit Sharma began off to positive start putting pressure on South African bowlers. Keshav Maharaj took the wicket of Mayank Agarwal. At lunch, India were 35 for 1.
After the lunch break, Cheteshwar Pujara played cautiously scoring 8 off 62 balls. Rohit Sharma on the other hand continued his positive intent and reached his fifty off 72 balls. Pujara survived a miss stumping chance and then he scored runs with ease. Rohit Sharma was severe on the South African spinners and hit big shots. Pujara found his rhythm and reached his fifty off 102 balls. At tea break, Rohit and Pujara helped India to go at 175 for 1.
Pujara fell immediately after the tea break by a good ball from Vernon Philander for 81. Pujara and Rohit Sharma added 169 runs for the 2nd wicket. Rohit reached his 2nd century off the Test match off 133 balls. After reaching his century, Rohit hit 3 successive sixes off Piedt bowling. Ravindra Jadeja came ahead of Virat Kohli and continued to pile on the runs. In an attempt to hit a big six, Sharma was stumped for brilliant 127 runs. Ravindra Jadeja also scored a quick fire 40 off 32 balls and got out. Virat Kohli and Rahane scored quickfire runs to declare their innings on 323 for 4.
With a massive target of 395 runs to win, Ravindra Jadeja got the breakthrough for India dismissing the centurion from the first innings Dean Elgar cheaply. South Africa ended the 4th day at 11 for 1.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will play a key role for India on the fifth day. If the weather stays true, India should take a 1-0 lead in the series.
South Africa 431 in 131.2 overs (Dean Elgar 160, Quinton de Kock 111 , Ravichandran Ashwin 7/145, Ravindra Jadeja 2/116) and 11 for 1 in 9 overs ( Markram 3*, Bryun 5*, Ravindra Jadeja 1/3) India 502 for 7 d in 136 overs ( Mayank Agarwal 215, Rohit Sharma 176, Keshav Maharaj 3/189) and 323 for 4 in 67 overs ( Rohit Sharma 127, Cheteshwar Pujara 81, Keshav Maharaj 2/129)
South Africa require 384 runs to win.
