Centurion, Dec 29 (FN Agency) South Africa ended the fourth day on 94/4 against India in the first Test here at SuperSport Park on Wednesday. The visiting team India need 6 wickets to go one up in the five-match series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship. South Africa captain Dean Elgar stood strong against a disciplined Indian attack to see off the final session. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 52 at stumps. The hosts still require 211 runs on final day, which could be affected by rain as the predicted weather report doesn’t look promising. Chasing a target of 305 runs, South Africa suffered an early hiccup. Mohammed Shami struck for India as he bowled Aiden Markram cheaply for one. Both Shami and Jasprit Bumrah continued to attack the stumps but Elgar and Keegan Petersen did a superb job going into tea break. However, after resumption, Mohammed Siraj got the better of Petersen (17), who was caught behind. Elgar along with Rassie van der Dussen stitched a 40-run partnership for third wicket. After frustrating Indian attack for 20-odd overs, Bumrah got the much-needed breakthrough. The pacer bowled der Dussen for a 65-ball 11.
Towards the end, India picked up one more wicket, the nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj (8), at stumps. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen took four wickets each as South Africa bundled out India for 174 in their second innings. India captain Virat Kohli’s poor run with the bat continued as he was dismissed after chasing a ball outside the off-stump again. Kohli (18) gave away his wicket on the first ball after lunch. It was debutant Marco Jansen who took the prized wicket of India captain. In the first innings, Kohli had threw away his wicket while chasing a wide delivery outside-off. Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara’s, who was dropped on four in the first session, lean phase with the bat continued. The top-order batter edged to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock for 16. Ajinkya Rahane added quick 20 runs but eventually played an uncontrolled shot and holed out to deep square leg where Rassie van der Dussen caught him off Jansen’s delivery.
The middle and lower-order couldn’t do much as Rabada picked up wickets in quick succession. The last notable batter Rishabh Pant added crucial 34 runs before India folded on 174. In the first session, KL Rahul, India’s centurion in the first innings, could not carry the momentum in his second innings as Lungi Ngidi removed the India vice-captain for 23. The opener edged and Dean Elgar caught him at first slip, forcing Rahul to return to the pavilion in disappointment.