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India vs South Africa, 4th Test, Day 4: As it happened...

The SA batsmen finally showed some resilience on Day 4.

LIVE Blog

South Africa scored 72 runs in 72 overs, as they fought hard to keep the Indian bowlers at bay.

06 December 2015
16:49 PM

Over 72 | Score 72/2

AB and Amla were engaged in a virtual 'blackathon' during their 23-run partnership. South Africa require another 409 runs to register a consolation win. India dominate Day 4, but the Proteas finally showed some resilience.

16:01 PM

Over 62 | Score 61/2

Amla has been a picture of concentration today. AB too has curbed his natural game. The duo is vital to SA's chances of saving this Test.

15:26 PM

Over 50 | Score 49/2

Amla and AB de Villiers haven't scored a single run in the last eight over. Indian bowlers have done a commendable job if mounting pressure on the duo. Interesting to see whether AB takes the attack to them in such a situation.

14:54 PM

Over 45 | Score 49/2

Ashwin's tossed up ball on off stump, straightens after pitching to beat outside edge of Bavuma's bat and hit the off-stump. Lovely delivery from the off-spinner. AB de Villiers walks out to bat to a loud roar. 

T Bavuma b Ashwin 34 (117b)

14:46 PM
13:51 PM

Over 32 | Score 37/1

Amla and Bavuma have applied themselves well so far. The Indian spinner haven't yet managed to trouble the duo. The contest between bat and ball has been fascinating to watch in this session.

12:59 PM

Over 17 | Score 12/1

South African batsmen have been put under tremendous pressure by the Indian bowlers. Bavuma and Amla find themselves in the midst of a real challenge. This is good old-fashioned Test cricket. Perfect Sunday viewing.

11:49 AM

Day 4 - Lunch

Ajinkya Rahane achieved the rare distinction of scoring hundreds in both innings of a Test match as India set South Africa a mammoth victory target of 481 on the penultimate day of the fourth and final cricket Test.

Courtesy Rahane's unbeaten 100, India declared their second innings at 267 for five leaving South Africa with an awkward 30 minutes to negotiate before the lunch.

South Africa were already in trouble tottering at 5/1 at the break.

Opener Dean Elgar (4) was removed by Ravichandran Ashwin, who was introduced in the fourth over. The Proteas still need 476 runs for an improbable win. Temba Bavuma (1 batting) and Hashim Amla 90 batting) were at the crease.

Following his classy 127, Rahane once again produced a top quality innings that contained eight boundaries and three sixes, facing 206 balls.

With his sixth hundred in the longest format, Rahane also joined the elite list of Indian cricketers, who have reached three-figure mark in both innings of a Test match.

Late Vijay Hazare (once), Sunil Gavaskar (thrice), Rahul Dravid (twice) and Virat Kohli (once) are the other Indian batsmen to have achieved the coveted milestone.

Rahane batted like a man possessed as he changed gears from cautious to attacking with effortless ease. Kyle Abbott was cut to the boundary while he used the pace of a short delivery from Morne Morkel to guide it over third-man fence for six.

Once he reached 80, Rahane slog-swept a half-volley from Imran Tahir over deep mid-wicket for his second six. In the very next over, Dane Piedt met with the same fate as Rahane danced down the track to hit another six.

While he played 152 balls for his 52 yesterday, he took another 54 balls in the morning session to complete his remaining 48 runs.

Wriddhiman Saha (23 not out) added 56 runs in only 14.1 overs with Rahane.

Skipper Virat Kohli (88) must be a disappointed man as he missed out on a well-deserved 12th Test hundred, managing to add only five runs to his overnight score of 83.

It was a delivery from Abbott that was angled in and it kept low after pitching, hitting Kohli in the leg-middle line.

Umpire Bruce Oxenford ruled it in favour of the bowler after some deliberations.

In all, Kohli faced 165 balls hitting 10 boundaries as Rahane continued without much fuss.

The Rahane-Kohli duo added 154 runs for the fifth wicket, which is by far the highest partnership for any wicket among the either teams in the series.
 

11:44 AM

Over 5 | Score 5/1

Rahane is everywhere. After scoring a ton, he takes a simple catch at slip to dismiss Elgar. Ashwin's delivery found the outside edge of the left-hander's bat. SA in trouble already.

D Elgar c Rahane b Ashwin 4 (17b)

11:18 AM
11:04 AM

Over 100.1 | Score 267/5d

Rahane gets to his ton and India declare. Stupendous effort from the Mumbai batsman to score a hundred in each innings. The target is 481 for SA.

10:22 AM

Over 90 | Score 221/5

No sign of a declaration from the Indian camp. Saha and Rahane taking their time out in the middle, while Jadeja is padded up to bat next.

09:58 AM

Over 86 | Score 211/5

No hundred on home soil for Kohli. He was undone by the bounce. Abbott's ball remained low and skidded through to trap the Indian skipper LBW. Fans at Kotla are disappointed. Saha is the new man in.

V Kohli lbw b Abbott 88 (165b)

09:27 AM

Kohli and Rahane walk out on to the field to cheering crowds. Indian skipper is just 17 runs away from a special ton on his home ground.