After the impressive performance on Day 4 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Team India are in the driving seat to secure a comprehensive victory.
After scoring 324 in the first innings, the visitors bundled out South Africa for 194 to take a massive 130-run lead. The hosts produced a strong reply to restrict India to 174 in the second innings for a 305-run chase.
Indian bowlers took full advantage of the uneven bounce at the surface, picking up four wickets before the end of Day 4. India’s frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah affected two late blows in the final hour of the day to put the Proteas on backfoot.
The Virat Kohli-led side is only six wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but the weather in Centurion could play spoilsport to hopes of countless Indian fans. Notably, the rain had washed the entire Day 2 of the match and weather is again expected to impact the final day of the contest.
According to Accuweather, there’s a 65% chance of rainfall during the afternoon on Day 5 of the Test with two hours of rain prophesied. Additionally, there’s a 39% chance of a thunderstorm as well. This means that Team India will have to put the pedal on the gas and aim to wrap up the proceedings in the first session of the day.
If South Africans manage to pass the first session and the match goes till the afternoon, and if it rains, then things could become quite complicated for the tourists, and they might be forced to settle for a draw.
