Virat Kohli, AJinkya Rahane extend India’s lead to 403

Chasing a mammoth 481, South African batsmen employed an ultra-defensive approach reaching 40/1 in 39 overs at tea on day 4 after Ajinkya Rahane achieved the rare distinction of scoring hundreds in both innings of a Test match in the fourth and final Test, here today. Rahane, the hero of this game, meanwhile went about discarding notions of his poor home form to the trash can.

Rohit fell victim to the first ball he faced, a lovely delivery from Morkel that generally held its line with a slight outward movement after pitching on the good length spot. It is the second highest stand for India for the fifth wicket vs South Africa (highest being 220 between Sehwag and Tendulkar at Bloemfontein in November 2001). India are in control of things and are inching towards a here nil victory. Ishant Sharma, replacing Ashwin in the 28th over, found Bavuma’s edge twice in the second over of his spell, and the ball streaked through the slips on both occasions. After a brief dry passage, India began finding momentum again as Rahane followed it up with another six over deep midwicket after stepping down the track to Dean Elgar’s left-arm spin. Ravi Ashwin strikes. Simple catch for Ajinkya Rahane in the slip.

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

India lead the visitors by 480 runs.

Kohli was unlucky to miss out on a century, being trapped leg before by fast bowler Kyle Abbott (1-47) in the fifth over of the day after having resumed on his overnight 83. VVS Laxman was the last Indian number three batsmen to get a golden duck -vs Australia in the second innings at Adelaide in December 1999.

Wriddhiman Saha was unbeaten on 23 at the other end.

The diminutive right-hander lofted Morne Morkel (3-51) for a six over third man before handing out similar punishment to spinners Imran Tahir and Elgar and racing into the 90s.

The declaration was just around the corner.

Rahane, 27, scored his second century of the match to help the hosts declare their second innings on 267-5 half an hour before the lunch break.

Rahane could not be denied his hundred, though.