Who said What: India vs South Africa, Fourth Test, Day Four
A resolute batting performance from the South African batting lineup, led by their captain Hashim Amla helped the Proteas finish day four 409 runs behind the target that India set at the Feroz Shah Kotla. This is the first match in this Test series that will go into the fifth day.
Virat Kohli got out early in the day when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Kyle Abbott, thus missing out on scoring his 12th Test century. However, Rahane who played a very patient innings on day three accelerated and reached his second hundred of the match and his sixth career hundred.
After Rahane reached his ton, Kohli declared with India setting the Proteas a mammoth target of 481. In reply, South Africa lost an early wicket as Ravichandran Ashwin got Dean Elgar out cheaply. Temba Bavuma and Amla battled for the next 38 overs as they made just 44 runs.
Ashwin went through Bavuma's defence which brought World Number 3, AB de Villiers to the crease. De Villiers and Amla displayed fantastic patience and perseverance to counter the Indian bowling attack.
With South Africa needing 409 more runs to win on the final day of the Test, it remains to be seen how long the South African batsmen can keep the Indian bowlers at bay.
India need just eight wickets to win the series 3-0. However, it will not be an easy task as the wicket is slowing down and the South African batsmen determined to block as much as they can.
Umesh Yadav: “It was a surprise that they were trying to defend all the way. It's not difficult to get wickets when batsmen defend, but it definitely is more challenging. It is difficult for them to hold on and defend for the whole day. They might have to play shots.”
“Wickets get slower as the days go on. It is happening here too. It was not like there were no chances. Few balls went in the air and in the gap. We've managed to hold them back and hopefully we can carry on and do the same.”
Temba Bavuma: “It's a tough ask to bat on day five. We have the experience and skills. We will be fighting. Maybe they weren't expecting it (defending), but we decided as a group that this is how we tackle the challenge.”
“It was the toughest piece of batting I've had to do in my life. I usually bat positively. Going against your natural instincts as a batter is the toughest thing.”
The Mighty Hash, the Monk at the Kotla, call him what you will. But his denial today was inspiring @amlahash
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2015
I had feared that @ABdeVilliers17 might struggle given his desire to dominate. But like all champions he found a way.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2015
Fear the track has slowed too much. But you can't take away from a fascinating spell of bowling from @ashwinravi99
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2015
Well played, South Africa...Amla, Bawuma and AB have shown a facet of cricket that most people, including me, thought had disappeared. ð??ð??
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2015
Test cricket is a lot like life. Winning & losing aren't the only two options in life...at times, a draw is as good as a victory ð??ð??ð??ð???
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2015
A real test for SA at the moment. This is what pure Test cricket is all about. Mental toughness. Tough for batter and bowler #INDvSA
— Kyle Mills (@kylemills79) December 6, 2015
I love Shaun Pollock's explanation of an all-rounder, one discipline is a job the other a hobby! #INDvSA
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 6, 2015
If you don't like what Amla is doing here you don't like cricket. #INDvSA
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) December 6, 2015
Cricket tweet of the Day! "@pavilionopinion: Quite appropriate all this passive resistance in a series dedicated to Gandhi. #INDvSA"
— Neal Collins (@nealcol) December 6, 2015
Even though I don't agree with the approach of the 2 SA batsmen,I can't fault them for their application & fighting spirit #IndvsSA @BCCI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 6, 2015
WOW!!100 in both the innings & when the team needed the most ð??ð??ð???What an achievement @ajinkyarahane88 Keep it upð??#IndvsSA @BCCI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 6, 2015