1st Test, India vs South Africa Day 5 preview: India’s game to lose on final day

India did everything right on the penultimate day of the first Test in Visakhapatnam, setting South Africa a target of 395, and reducing them to 11/1 by stumps in what was a commanding display by the hosts.

India managed to nip out the last two South African first innings wickets for 46 runs, and thereafter, it was the Rohit Sharma show. The Mumbai batsman came into the Test with a lot of doubters, as he prepared to open in a Test for the first time. In the space of a few days, he has added two centuries to his overall tally, and the critics have nowhere to hide.

The onus was on attack for India. Apart from Rohit’s 149-ball 127, Cheteshwar Pujara scored 81, not venturing too far from his trusted mode of cautious batting, while Ravindra Jadeja (40 off 32), Virat Kohli (31 off 25) and Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 17) all played their part in helping India post 323/4 before declaring their innings closed.

That declaration meant India had just about enough time to make South Africa sweat. The nine overs thereafter was a complete toil for the visitors, and when Jadeja had Dean Elgar trapped in front, the task awaiting the home side on the final day was driven home.

They have to survive a whole day’s play on a fifth day pitch in India, with R Ashwin, stellar so far on his comeback, and Jadeja to contend with. And that too without their best batsman from the first innings, and the one played they had that could grind on just such situations.

Despite that admittedly difficult circumstance, South Africa can’t be written. First and foremost, they need Aiden Markram and Theunis de Bruyn to see off the first hour. Every attacking instinct must be curbed, and strength must be drawn from the innermost regions of their cores. That is assuming South Africa don’t make a hash for the target.

In fact, the visitors may be better served if they take the attack to the Indians. It will increase their risk of being bundled out, but if Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis can do their bits, it’s not entirely out of the realms of possibility that South Africa chase down the remaining 384 runs. It should make for a good watch, at the very least.  

Key players

R Ashwin (India): After Rohit’s double act, it’s time for Ashwin. Rohit, on his Test comeback, has made it a memorable one already with his twin centuries. Ashwin did his bit in the first innings with 7 wickets, but conditions will be ripe for a typical effort from the him on Sunday. South Africa will be wary.

Faf du Plessis (South Africa): The South Africa captain has been here before. He has taken part in his fair share of valiant, heroic escapes – including against India at home in the 2013-14 series – and the veteran will need to draw on all his experience to do the same come Sunday. He needs to lead from the front.

Brief scores

India 502/7 dec and 323/4 dec (Rohit Sharma 127, Cheteshwar Pujara 81; Keshav Maharaj 2/129) lead South Africa 431 and 11/1 (Theunis de Bruyn 5*; Ravindra Jadeja 1/3) 383 runs.

Prediction

India’s spin duo to come to the fore as South Africa are bundled out in the second session on Sunday.