South Africa look for series win in Centurion today
Centurion, Jan 17 (IBNS): The Centurion Test has turned out to be a battle between triumph and survival as South Africa are smelling a series win against India on Wednesday, while the visitors are struggling to square the competition.
Setting a target of 287, South Africa were right on the money with the ball in the second innings by denting the Indian top order.
In a fierce bowling spell by pacemen Rabada and Ngidi, Indian batsmen Murali Vijay (9) and KL Rahul (4), virtually surrendered to the wicket taking deliveries.
Indian captain Virat Kohli, who scored a classy 153 in the first essay, was looking good, but a Ngidi delivery, which kept low, made it tough for the skipper to survive.
When Kohli was out leg before at just 5, the Indian dressing room was looking helpless.
A surprise arrival of Parthiv Patel, ahead of Rohit Sharma, may have survived the remaining deliveries of the day but his partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, who is batting at 11, will be crucial for the visitors this morning.
India scored 35/3 at stumps on day 4 in the second innngs of the Test match.
On Tuesday too, the Indian bowlers were up to their task of limiting the South African innings to just 258, denying the hosts a 300-run lead in the second innings.
South Africa, who are ahead of India in the series 1-0, will certainly look to seal the deal with one match to spare.
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