South Africa tightened their grip on the second Test by extending their overall lead to a commanding 395 runs at tea on Day Four, reaching 107 for 3 in their second innings after dismissing India for 201 yesterday.
Resuming from their overnight 26 for no loss, the visitors progressed steadily, even as India’s spinners struck at regular intervals. The Proteas, who made 489 in their first innings, had begun the day with a lead of 288 and gradually pushed it towards the 400-run mark.
Aiden Markram’s patient 29 off 84 balls ended when Ravindra Jadeja sent down a sharp-turning delivery that beat his forward defence and crashed into the off stump.
Earlier, Jadeja had also removed opener Rickelton for 35, the batsman miscuing a lofted attempt to cover where moha Mohammad Siraj completed a neat overhead catch.
Washington Sundar added to India’s breakthroughs by dismissing Temba Bavuma for 3, the ball brushing the gloves and flying to Nitish Reddy at leg slip. Sundar could have had Bavuma a ball earlier, but Sai Sudharsan put down a sharp inside-edge chance at short leg.
Despite the wickets, South Africa found timely boundaries. Tony de Zorzi struck a towering 102-metre six off Sundar and swept him and Kuldeep Yadav for fours to take the team past 100 in 38.3 overs. Tristan Stubbs offered a few nervy moments — including a missed stumping by Rishabh Pant — but also produced a reverse sweep boundary to keep the board moving.
Milestones came steadily through the session: the 50-run opening stand arrived in 94 balls, South Africa crossed 100 in the 39th over, and they went to tea at 107 for 3 in 40 overs, with Stubbs on 14 and de Zorzi on 21.
India, bowled out for 201 in 83.5 overs earlier in the day, remain under immense pressure with a mountain to climb as the match heads into the final session.
