India versus South Africa 1st Test 4th Day: India six wickets away from a famous win

 The Indian Cricket Team ended the 4th day of the 1st Test match in a dominating position against the hosts South Africa played at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Wednesday.

Starting on the overnight score of 16 for 1, Shardul Thakur showed positive intent against bad deliveries. Kagiso Rabada finally struck for South Africa getting rid of nightwatchman Thakur. The pitch had an uneven bounce keeping the batsmen honest. Cheteshwar Pujara was given a reprieve as Rabada dropped a simple chance at mid-on. KL Rahul's struggle came to end caught by Elgar at first slips.

Virat Kohli looked in positive touch as the South African captain Elgar put attacking field. Kohli survived a close LBW shout given not out but on review, it was retained to not out due to the umpire’s call. Kohli and Pujara ensured that India end the first session at 79 for 3.

It was a disastrous start for the Indian team as Kohli was dismissed the very first ball after the lunch break. Ajiyanka Rahane looked positive right from the word go taking on Marco Jansen putting South African bowlers under pressure. Pujara fell in an unfortunate manner caught down the leg. Pujara and Rahane added 30 runs for the 5th wicket. Rahane also could not control his shot dismissed at deep square leg by Van der Dussen. Ravichandran Ashwin and Rishabh Pant smashed some brilliant strokes.

Kagiso Rabada troubled the Indian batters with uneven bounce. R Ashwin was given out by the umpire but on review, it was overturned to not out because it did not hit gloves. Rabada finally dismissed Ashwin with another stunning delivery. This time, Ashwin decided to review the decision and it was retained to out. Ashwin and Pant added 35 runs for the 7th wicket. Pant showed intent playing big shots. He eventually was caught by Ngidi trying to come down the track. Rabada produced another superb delivery to get rid of Shami caught by Mulder. Jansen dismissed Mohammed Siraj bowling out India for 174 runs in the 2nd innings setting South Africa 305 runs to win.

Mohammed Shami started brilliantly for India in the 2nd innings getting rid of Aiden Markram taking inside edge onto stumps. Keegan Pietersen and Dean Elgar looked compact against the top-quality pace bowling of Bumrah and Shami. At the end of the 2nd session, South Africa made 22 for 1.

After the tea break, Keegan Pietersen and Elgar kept the Indian bowlers at bay. Siraj grabbed the wicket of Pietersen with a beauty. Pietersen and Elgar added 33 runs for the 2nd wicket. Dean Elgar looked solid keeping the good deliveries away while Van der Dussen showed resistance against top-quality Indian bowling. Jasprit Bumrah produced a snorter of a yorker to dismiss Dussen. Dussen and Elgar added 40 runs for the 3rd wicket. Keshav Maharaj showed some resistance along with Elgar keeping Indian bowlers at bay. Elgar looked compact reaching his fifty off 121 balls. Bumrah produced another beauty to dismiss nightwatchman Maharaj to ensure that India is on course for a historic win.

India 327 in 105.3 overs ( KL Rahul 123, Agarwal 60, Lungi Ngidi 6/71, Rabada 3/72) and 174 in 50.3 overs ( Pant 34, Rahul 23, Rabada 4/42, Jansen 4/55) South Africa 197 in 62.3 overs ( Bavuma 52, de Kock 34, Shami 5/44, Bumrah 2/16) and 94 for 4 in 40.5 overs ( Elgar 52*, Bumrah 2/22)

India needs 6 wickets to win and South Africa needs 211 runs.   



 





India needs 6 wickets to win the first Test match against South Africa 

 

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