UPDATE: India extend lead against Proteas on fourth morning
The tourists, despite losing two wickets, stayed in charge of the first Test in Centurion.
Kagiso Rabada of the Proteas celebrates the wicket of Shardul Thakur of India during day four of the first Test in Centurion on Wednesday. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
India registered a 209-run lead over South Africa on the fourth morning of the first Test as they went into lunch on 79/3 at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.
Resuming on 16/1 and with a first-innings lead of 130, India were able to add 63 runs in 26 overs in the morning session, as the Proteas attack were probing and reasonably disciplined.
Kagiso Rabada claimed the first wicket of the day when he had nightwatchman Shardul Thakur well-caught at third slip by Wiaan Mulder, a fine back-of-a-length delivery shaping to come into the right-hander, but then just straightening and bouncing steeply enough to find the shoulder of the bat.
Lungi Ngidi then had opener Lokesh Rahul (23) taken at first slip by Dean Elgar, the first-innings centurion playing a bold slash off the back foot but only getting a top-edge.
Cheteshwar Pujara (12*) and Virat Kohli (18*) then took India through to lunch as they added 25 for the fourth wicket.
Unless India suffer a collapse like they did in their first innings, South Africa look set to be chasing a target of well over 300, which is going to be a massive task against a top-class Indian attack on a pitch that is starting to show a worrying degree of variable bounce.
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.