STUMPS - DAY 4

SA 72-2 (72 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Ishant comes back and it goes to script as de Villiers plays out another maiden over, offering a straight bat to every delivery bowled.

Jadeja comes back to bowl in tandem with Ashwin as the umpires consider the fading light is not good to continue with the pace of Ishant.

Ashwin for a bat-pad catch at silly point off Amla but it clearly went off the pads as confirmed by the umpire.

Jadeja gets one to turn, beating AB's defensive push, before he edges the next ball but it goes on the bounce to first slip.

Ashwin bowling the odd leg-spinng delivery in between but Amla defends it before he drives a wide one to deep point for one.

AB, on four from 77 balls, gets a friendly full toss from Ashwin which he drives through the covers but still can't find the boundary for three runs.

Meanwhile, Amla completes the landmark of 200 deliveries faced, in which he has scored just 22 runs. A masterclass in defensive batting by the South African captain as the visitors battle hard to ensure that they can atleast draw this Test match.

De Villiers gets his first boundary of the innings after a long wait of 89 deliveries, cutting a short wide delivery from Ashwin through point. He is beaten off the last delivery of the over as he comes forward to defend, playing inside the line with the ball passing very close to the off-stump.

At stumps on Day 4, South Africa crawl to 72 for two in 72 overs, with another 409 runs needed on the final day for victory.

South Africa were happy to see off the overs as just 33 runs were scored from 32 overs in the post-tea session.

Jadeja bowled 23 overs out of which 16 were maidens, while Ashwin claimed two for 29 in the same number of overs with 13 maidens.

Amla showed great concentration and discipline to remain unbeaten on 23 from 207 balls, while de Villiers made 11 from 91 balls.

SA 61-2 (60 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Even Kohli has had enough of the maiden overs it seems as he brings on part-timer Shikhar Dhawan into the attack to bowl some off-spin.

He starts with a full toss which Amla drives through the covers for a four for the first runs of the partnership after a long wait of 10 overs.

Dhawan gets the edge of Amla's bat with one that goes through straight but  wicketkeeper Saha is unable to hold on. He gets extra bounce off the next delivery hitting Amla on the gloves as he comes forward to defend, but Pujara at silly point is unaable to get to the ball despite the dive.

The last ball is again a full toss as Amla again drives it through the covers for another boundary.

AB de Villiers gets off the mark with a single on the leg side, from the 33rd ball he faced, off Jadeja. Interestingly, he is the same guy who scored a world record 31-ball century in ODIs.

Part-time spinners from both ends as Murali Vijay comes into the attack to bowl in tandem with Dhawan.

AB gets his score moving with two singles in successive overs as South Africa continue to defend against the part-timers.

Ashwin comes back as he replaces Dhawan, who bowled three overs, and created two chances against Amla in his first over.

He starts his new spell with a maiden over to Amla as South Africa stay on 61 for two in 60 overs.

Amla is on 20 from 175 balls, while AB has made three from 51 balls with the partnership yielding 12 runs from 104 balls so far.

SA 49-2 (50 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

The Indian fans gave AB de Villiers gave a loud reception as he stepped on to the field. He is quite a popular player following his exploits in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore but the fans are seeing a different version of him at the moment.

Following in the footsteps of his captain Amla, AB is also focussing on playing the blocking game, offering a dead straight bat to everything.

Unlike the AB de Villiers we have been accustomed to seeing, he is yet to get off the mark in 20 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Yadav comes back and he gets one to kick off length, hitting Amla hard on the gloves injuring the fingers on his left hand. He immediately takes off his gloves and calls for the physio, but some encouraging signs for the Indians with the pitch doing things in between.

South Africa have not scored a run in the last seven overs since the fall of Bavuma's wicket as the score stays on 49 for two after 50 overs.

Amla, who took a blow on his hand in the previous over, is battling hard on 11 from 146 balls, while AB is yet to score in 20 balls.

SA 49-2 (43 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Yadav to bowl the first over after the tea break. Bavuma looks to pull the first ball, which is short, but gets an inside edge on to the pads. He has looked to play a few shots in between but Amla has been unmoved so far.

It's 40 runs from 40 overs before Amla finally decides to open his shoulders, driving a half-volley from Ashwin through the covers for a boundary, his first after a long wait of 115 deliveries.

Bavuma plays another reckless pull shot off a bouncer from Yadav, getting a top edge which goes for a four through fine leg.

Ashwin bowling a beautiful line and length as Amla gets an inside edge, but it is too quick for the fielder at short leg. That was leg spinner bowled by Ashwin and he got some extra bounce on it.

He strikes with the next delivery and it is the off-spinning delivery, beating Bavuma's defences to bowl him for 34 from 117 balls, after he had batted for 38.4 overs for the second wicket with Amla while scoring just 44 runs.

TEA -  DAY 4

SA 40-1 (39 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Amla switches to round the wicket and looks to torment Bavuma with bouncers on his body. However, he mixes up his length quite well, bowling a few full deliveries to keep the batsmen guessing.

Yadav comes into the attack in place of Ishant and he also bowls from round the wicket.

Amla has completed 100-ball stay at the wicket, scoring just six runs, with a single boundary hit.

Bavuma pulls a short ball to fine leg for a single before two balls later Amla is struck on the pads but the LBW appeal is turned down with the ball pitching well outside the leg stump.

With 5 minutes for tea, Kohli brings back Jadeja to replace Yadav, who bowled just one over.

Jadeja rushes through another maiden over, his seventh out of 13 overs, to Bavuma, who seems to have shut shop with the break approaching.

Ashwin trying everything including bowling from a different run-up, going across the umpire but Amla manages to defend.

A dull session of cricket as South Africa managed just 35 runs from 34 overs to reach 40 for one in 39 overs, still needing another 441 runs for victory.

Amla is content to play the ultra-defensive game, scoring just six from 113 balls, while Bavuma has made 30 from 104 balls.

The spinners rushed through their overs, bowling plenty of maiden overs, with Jadeja and Ashwin bowling 24 overs in total out of which 14 were maidens.

SA 36-1 (30 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Amla gets another rare run as he drives Ashwin through the off-side and followed by a super quick over from Jadeja, which took just 102 seconds.

Meanwhile, Kohli decides to bring back pacer Ishant, giving Ashwin a rest, who bowled nine overs for 12 runs and is the only wicket-taker so far.

Bavuma guides the second ball past the fielder at gully to get a couple as the fielder fumbles initially but the over only goes for two runs.

Finally, we have some cheer from the crowd as Bavuma gets two boundaries in succession. Both are off the edge as Ishant gets Bavuma to edge, once past the slips and when the slip was posted wide it went in the gap between the two fielders.

The best over of the South African second innings as they get eight runs to take the score to 36 for one in 30 overs.

Amla is on six from 79 balls, while Bavuma has made 26 from 84 balls.

SA 23-1 (25 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

There is a slight appeal for caught at silly point against Amla which the umpires want to check upstairs but India captain Kohli runs up to them and withdraws the appeal. The ball had clearly bounced and didn't come off the boot of Amla.

The last ball is a lot quicker as Amla again comes forward to defend and gets a thick inside edge which goes fine on the leg side for two runs. That gets Amla off the mark, after a long wait of 46 deliveries.

Ashwin bowls a quick maiden over to Bavuma with the score reading 20 for one in 20 overs.

Four fielders close in on the off-side including two slips, gully and silly point but the edge from Amla off Jadeja still manages to go through the gaps between the slips for a run.

We have a drinks break but surely the spectators will need a lot of coffee break today looking at South Africa's approach.

The run rate is not even 1 as South Africa look to defend everything and bat for time, not looking for a run at all.

Jadeja has a big appeal for LBW against Bavuma turned down with the ball looking to be heading down the leg side.

Bavuma turns the fifth ball through midwicket for two runs to take the score to 23 for one in 25 overs with Bavuma on 16 from 72 balls and Amla 3 from 61 balls.

SA 18-1 (18 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

The fast bowlers not getting any assistance from the pitch nor creating any trouble for the two batsmen, except test them with sharp bouncers.

Bavuma gets a thick outside edge which goes through the slips for a four to finally break the shackles for South Africa. The visitors have been caught in a shell, scoring just six runs from the last eight overs since the lunch interval.

Finally, Ashwin comes back into the attack. He took a wicket in his second over, before the lunch break, but was not called for a bowl for 40 minutes into the post-lunch session.

A good first over which is easily defended by Amla, who is yet to get off the mark from 30 deliveries.

Spin from both ends now as Ravindra Jadeja comes on from the other end. The sequence of maiden overs continue as South Africa are looking to defend everything bowled at them.

Finally, a run as Bavuma turns a ball from Jadeja on his pads on the leg side for one. Amla is beaten by one which goes turns a bit past edge of the bat but no stopping the South African captain from continuing his ultra-defensive tactics.

Ashwin switches to round the wicket and drops one short which Bavuma pulls all the way over the fence at midwicket for a six. That rare boundary from the South Africans takes the run rate to 1 per over as the total reaches 18 for one in 18 overs.

SA 7-1 (10 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Interestingly, captain Kohli decides to start the second session with seamers from both ends.

Umesh Yadav comes into the attack as the first over of the session is watchfully defended by Amla.

Ishant bowls get one to bounce high on Bavuma who manages to drop it on the leg side for a single. The next ball is again a quick bouncer as Amla does well to stay out of the way and wicketkeeper Saha has to react sharply to collect it.

The fast bowlers trying to unsettle the South Africans with bouncers directed their bodies. Yadav bowling a barrage of short balls to Amla, who is quite content to duck under it.

A slow beginning for the South Africans as they reach seven for one in 10 overs with Amla yet to get off the mark in 18 balls and Bavuma on three from 25 balls.

LUNCH - DAY 4

SA 5-1 (5 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Around five minutes to go for lunch as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack, after just two overs from Ishant with the new ball.

Jadeja right on the mark as he forces Bavuma to defend the over which is the final one of the session.

South Africa are five for one in five overs in their second innings after being set a mammoth 481 for victory with Bavuma (1) and Hashim Amla at the crease.

The highlight of the morning session was Rahane, who became the fifth Indian batsman to hit a century in each innings of a Test match.

India declared their second innings on 267 for five after Rahane had completed the landmark. Virat Kohli was earlier dismissed for 88, trapped leg before wicket by Abbott.

SA 5-1 (4 ovs) & 121 vs India 334 & 267-5d | Scorecard

Ishant Sharma to open the bowling for India as Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma walk out to open the batting for the South Africans.

Ishant trying to make the batsmen play as much as possible as he keeps his line on the stumps as against the first innings when he bowled it a bit too wide.

Ravichandran Ashwin starts off with the new ball from the other end. Bavuma gets off the mark with a single before Elgar edges the fifth ball past the first slip fielder for a four.

Ashwin strikes in his second over with the wicket of Elgar and it is Rahane who takes the catch at first slip. The left-hander went forward to drive a full delivery but only got an edge and offer Rahane an easy catch to be dismissed for four.

India 267-5d (100.1 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Following Rahane's century, captain Virat Kohli immediately declares India's second innings on 267 for five in 100.1 overs, setting South Africa an improbable 481 to win the Test match.

Rahane played a superb innings of 100 not out, hitting eight fours and three sixes in his 206-ball knock, while Saha was not out on 23 from 51 balls.

India were a bit more positive on Day 4, scoring 77 runs in 19.1 overs while losing the wicket of Kohli, who was out for 88.

Morkel was South Africa's best bowler as he claimed three for 51, while Abbott and Tahir picked up a wicket.

South Africa have 20 minutes plus five more sessions remaining to survive and force for a draw as scoring 481 runs on this slow uneven wicket looks a near-impossible task.

India 267-5d (100.1 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Saha joins in the party as he pulls a short ball from Tahir over midwicket for a four. Two balls later, he comes down the track and drives Tahir straight down the ground for another boundary before keeping strike with a single from the last ball.

The Indian declaration is imminent any moment, perhaps they are giving Rahane time to get his second century of the match.

Saha looking to score as many as possible as he powerfully sweeps Elgar through square leg for his third four.

In the next over, Rahane looks to sweep Tahir but misses before he takes a single to take his score to 96. He strokes the last ball to sweeper cover and Saha calls him for two runs, leaving him just two short of the landmark.

Saha is playing sensibly as he drives a full toss to long-off for a single to bring Rahane back on strike, who calmly takes one to long-on to take his score to 99.

Rahane tucks Tahir on the leg side and steals a quick single to complete his century, his second of the Test match.

Rahane joins an elite list comprising of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli as the only Indian batsmen to have scored a century in each innings of a Test match. Infact, Gavaskar has achieved the landmark thrice, while Dravid has twice done it.

India 245-5 (95 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Time for spin as leg-spinner Imran Tahir comes into the attack. Saha looks to drive the second ball through the off-side but gets an inside edge on the leg side to get a single and Rahane takes one from the fifth ball.

Spin from both ends now as part-timer Dean Elgar comes into the attack. He gets one to turn sharply beating Rahane, who came forward to defend, before he drives the next ball to long-on for one and Saha keeps strike with a single from the last ball of the over.

After a few quiet overs, Rahane decides to lift the ante as he slog sweeps Tahir over midwicket for a six.

In the next over, he comes down the track and lofts Elgar over the leg side for another six to move into the 90s and close in on his second century of the match.

India 221-5 (90 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

The pacers will continue as Rahane decides to cut down on his strokeplay following the dismissal of Kohli.

However, he is keen to not let any scoring opportunities go waste. A wide half-volley is driven in some style by the Mumbai right-hander through the covers for a boundary to take his score into the 70s.

He has a golden opportunity to become only the fifth Indian batsman to score a century in each innings of a Test match.

At the moment, he is looking well settled on 75, while new batsman Wriddhiman Saha is on two with India reaching 221 for five in 90 overs, stretching their lead to 434 runs.

India 211-5 (86 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Kohli is nearly done in by the inswinging delivery from Abbott as a thin edge saves him and also gets him a single, thereby taking him further close to the century mark.

Two more singles before Rahane again goes after a wide delivery and smashes it square on the off-side for a four.

In the next over, Rahane continues his attacking approach as he looks to pull a short ball but gets a top edge which falls safely and gets him a single. The last ball is again short but this time he does well to steer it over the slips and it goes all the way for a six.

At the start of the day, Rahane was unbeaten on 52 from 152 balls, and this morning he has changed gears to hit 16 from 17 balls and take his score to 68 from 169 balls.

At the other end, Kohli has been a bit restrained in his approach and he gets a near unplayable delivery. The ball hardly bounces of the pitch and strikes Kohli right in front of the stumps to dismiss him for 88. He walks back in disbelief after a good partnership of 154 runs for the sixth wicket with Rahane.

India 195-4 (83 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

The ball is relatively new and South Africa would be keen to begin with their pacers and look to pick up a wicket or two.

Pacer Kyle Abbott to kick off proceedings on Day 4 and facing him is right-hander Ajinkya Rahane, who offers no stroke to the first four deliveries. The fifth delivery is on the stumps as Rahane defends it on the leg side before blocking the last ball on the off-side.

Pace from both ends as Morne Morkel comes on from the other end. Kohli picks the first run of the day, a single to thirdman, before Rahane flays his bat at a wide one and smashes it through point for a four as five come from the over.

That was positive intent from Rahane as after defending for most of his innings yesterday, he has immediately looked to be positive on Day 4.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit Sharma to get back to Ranji Trophy to regain form in the longest format after failing in the ongoing series against South Africa.

Rohit, whose Test career has never taken off, despite being a regular in India's limited overs setup, has managed scores of 0, 1, 23, 2 in the third and fourth Test of the series.

He was out for a first ball duck in Indias second innings on Saturday.

"After failing in the Delhi Test, Rohit's position in the team will be on the line. But who will replace him? I feel Rohit should start playing in Ranji Trophy to get back to form in the longer format," Gavaskar told NDTV.

India 190-4 (81 ovs) & 334 vs SA 121 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the fourth and final Test match between India and South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi, on Sunday.

Hosts India, who have already sealed the series 2-0, are once again in a commanding position after amassing a lead of 403 runs with two more days to go.

Virat Kohli struck a fluent unbeaten 83 to help India overcome a top order collapse and virtually bat South Africa out of the contest as they reached 190 for four at stumps on Day 3.

Playing his first match as Test captain at his home ground, Kohli partnered Ajinkya Rahane (52 not out) to cobble together the first century stand of the low-scoring series after India had slumped to 57-4 following Morne Morkel's triple strikes.

Morkel orchestrated India's top order collapse, claiming two wickets in two balls in the morning after India had opted against enforcing the follow-on and decided to set the visitors a target instead.