IND vs SA, 1st Test, Day 4: India Declare 2nd Innings With 394-Run Lead; SA Need 395 To Win

The Proteas spinners bowled a couple of tricky deliveries to trouble Pujara and Rohit but failed to break their partnership as the duo continued to extend India's lead and bring up their 150-runs partnership

Rohit Sharma’s gritty 172, followed by Ravindra Jadeja’s fiery 40 handed India a 394-run lead as the hosts have declared the innings at 323/4. South Africa now have a target of 395 to chase in the Test. Skipper Virat Kohli (31*) and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane (27*) were at the crease when the innings was declared. The Indian captain pulled off a Rabada delivery for 4 through mid-wicket and hurries towards the dressing room. Earlier, Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara scored fifties and recorded a 150-run partnership to help India attain a 246-runs lead at Tea on Day 4. Rohit and Mayank Agarwal (7 off 31 balls) started the second innings for India. Showing his natural instinct, the HITMAN started off with a perfectly timed boundary but almost bagged an unwanted record as he could have become the first India batsman to get stumped twice in a Test match. South Africa's only hope in the spin department, Maharaja, provide an early breakthrough with the new ball by getting in-form Mayank edge to Faf du Plessis at slip. India were 23/1 after 10 overs, with Rohit Sharma and 'Test specialist' Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. At Lunch on Day 4, India lead by 106 runs with Rohit and Pujara looking to add more runs on the scoreboard. While Pujara batted at one end scoring 4 off 37 balls, Rohit provided India with the much-need quick runs by going big against disciplined Proteas bowlers. In the process, Rohit became the first India batsman to hit 9 or more sixes in a Test match after hitting D Piedt for a biggie in the 20th over. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara took India to 52/1 in 20 overs. Following up his century in the first innings, Sharma attained his 11th Test half-century off 72 balls. His partner Pujara, batting at the other end, shifted gears after a word from the dressing room and attained his fifty in 107 balls. The Proteas spinners bowled a couple of tricky deliveries to trouble Pujara and Rohit but failed to break their partnership as the duo continued to extend India's lead and bring up their 150-runs partnership.