A late double strike from Jasprit Bumrah helped India close Day 4 of the Centurion Test against South Africa in a strong position. Chasing 305, South Africa ended Day 4 on 94/4. They require 211 with six wickets in hand, but with threats of rain looming, they are likelier to bat out the entire day. At the crease is Dean Elgar (52*). He will have Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock for company, while both Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen can bat as well.
India resumed the day on 16/1, and looked for quick runs with a possible declaration on mind. The South Africans responded with nagging accuracy and tight field settings, making acceleration difficult. Night-watch Shardul Thakur upper cut for sixb before falling to Kagiso Rabada. K.L. Rahul, after being rapped on the fingers, edged a wide ball from Lungi Ngidi to slip.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli took India to 79/3 by lunch. That they could add only 63 runs in 26 overs was testimony to the discipline of the South African bowlers. Immediately after lunch, Marco Jansen had Kohli chasing a ball well outside off and edging to Quinton de Kock for 18.
Pujara, dropped by a Rabada at mid on, struggled for close to two hours for his 16 before being caught down leg. Ajinkya Rahane got a quick 20 with three fours and a six before hooking straight to Rassie van der Dussen. India, 241/6 at this point, decided to not declare.
Rishabh Pant and R. Ashwin added 35 for the seventh wicket. Pant eventually top scored with a 34-ball 34, including six fours. The tail folded quickly as India were bowled out for 274. Rabada and Jansen finished with four wickets apiece.
Mohammed Shami got Aiden Markram in his first over, but Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen took South Africa to 22/1 by tea. After the break, Pant caught Petersen magnificently off Mohammed Siraj, but Rassie van der Dussen held the fort along with Elgar.
Bumrah then returned to bowl produce his famous nip-backer, a weapon he has perfected over the years across formats, to hit the off stump to send van der Dussen back. Keshav Maharaj did his bit as night watch, shielding Elgar and ensuring no one else had to come out. However, with a ball left, Bumrah bowled a fast yorker to bowl Maharaj.
Brief scores: India 327 (K.L. Rahul 123; Lungi Ngidi 6-71) and 174 (Rishabh Pant 34; Kagiso Rabada 4-42, Marco Jansen 4-55) lead South Africa 197 (Temba Bavuma 52; Mohammed Shami 5-44) and 94/4 (Dean Elgar 52*; Jasprit Bumrah 2-22) by 210 runs.