India consolidated their strong position in the first cricket Test against South Africa by rattling up 421 in their second innings on the back of Cheteshwar Pujara's 153 and Virat Kohli's 96 on the fourth and penultimate day here today.
The visiting side added 63 runs from 14.2 overs in the post-lunch session while losing their last four wickets to consolidate their over-all lead to 457.
Chasing a huge target of 458 for a win, South Africa managed to safely see off an hour before tea, reaching 38 for no loss. They need another 420 runs for victory with four sessions remaining in the match.
Openers Graeme Smith (batting on 9 off 19 balls) and Alviro Peterson (batting on 28 off 48 balls) carefully negotiated the opening salvo from India's pace trio of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami.
Notably, Smith did not take first strike to Zaheer in their second innings. Whether it was routine or he did not want to face his nemesis first up, is anybody's guess.
Even so, Smith was nearly out off the first ball he faced from Zaheer, playing off his pads towards leg gully where Virat Kohli nearly held on to a tough chance, getting his fingers to the ball. Smith was on one at that time, but played with a little more composure to finish unbeaten at tea.
At the other end, Peterson looked more solid. But he survived a massive appeal in the last over before the break, just managing to keep the outside edge of his bat away from Shami's delivery.
Zaheer Khan was still looking for his 300th Test wicket as he bewled four overs before tea. Ishant also bowled four overs, while Mohammad Shami sent down two. R Ashwin too bowled an over before tea.
