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A resolute batting performance from the South African batting lineup, led by their captain Hashim Amla helped the Proteas finish day four 409 runs behind the target that India set at the Feroz Shah Kotla. This is the first match in this Test series that will go into the fifth day.
Virat Kohli got out early in the day when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Kyle Abbott, thus missing out on scoring his 12th Test century. However, Rahane who played a very patient innings on day three accelerated and reached his second hundred of the match and his sixth career hundred.
After Rahane reached his ton, Kohli declared with India setting the Proteas a mammoth target of 481. In reply, South Africa lost an early wicket as Ravichandran Ashwin got Dean Elgar out cheaply. Temba Bavuma and Amla battled for the next 38 overs as they made just 44 runs.
Ashwin went through Bavuma's defence which brought World Number 3, AB de Villiers to the crease. De Villiers and Amla displayed fantastic patience and perseverance to counter the Indian bowling attack.
With South Africa needing 409 more runs to win on the final day of the Test, it remains to be seen how long the South African batsmen can keep the Indian bowlers at bay.
India need just eight wickets to win the series 3-0. However, it will not be an easy task as the wicket is slowing down and the South African batsmen determined to block as much as they can.
Umesh Yadav: “It was a surprise that they were trying to defend all the way. It's not difficult to get wickets when batsmen defend, but it definitely is more challenging. It is difficult for them to hold on and defend for the whole day. They might have to play shots.”
“Wickets get slower as the days go on. It is happening here too. It was not like there were no chances. Few balls went in the air and in the gap. We've managed to hold them back and hopefully we can carry on and do the same.”
Temba Bavuma: “It's a tough ask to bat on day five. We have the experience and skills. We will be fighting. Maybe they weren't expecting it (defending), but we decided as a group that this is how we tackle the challenge.”
“It was the toughest piece of batting I've had to do in my life. I usually bat positively. Going against your natural instincts as a batter is the toughest thing.”
