Smith hits the winning runs for South Africa. needing three runs to win, Smith cuts Rohit Sharma between point and cover for four.
South Africa after 10 overs: 45/0 (Smith 17*, Petersen 27*)
The play resumes.
Players leave for tea-break. South Africa is going steady at 19/0. Smith is playing on five while Petersen is unbeaten on 14.
South Africa after 5 overs: 12/0 (Smith 4*, Petersen 8*)
South Africa starts their run chase with A Petersen and Graeme Smith.
South Africa needs 58 runs to win the Test match and the series.
India 223/10 in 86 overs: Philander finishes it off in style as India loses their final wicket in the form of Rahane who has played a brillaint knock of 96 before getting bowled by the young paceman.
India 206/9 in 84.1 overs: Short ball at the body, too good for Ishant, that was heading for his head, Ishant somehow manages to get bat on it, hits high on the blade and the ball lobs up to Ab de Villiers. STeyn gets another one.
India 189/8 in 78 overs: Zaheer's resistance with the bat comes to an end as Peterson traps him right infront of the stumps.
India 179/7 in 73 overs: Rahane trying to get most of the strike and increase the lead to the extent possible. South Africa would look to wrap up the tail as early as possible.
Both the batsmen are out there in the middle. Dale Steyn to start the proceedings after lunch.
So lunch has been taken on Day 5 of this second Test match where South Africa are in the driver's seat by picking up five wickets in the session. India needs a miracle to save this Test match and the series with Rahane and Zaheer still battling it out there in the middle. India leads by 7 runs.
India 172/7 in 67 overs: Rahane fighting a lone battle for the Indians as South Africa pegs away at the wickets with one over to go before lunch. Zaheer khan would look give as much strike as possible to Rahane to reduce the embarrasment of a huge loss.
India 154/7 in 62 overs: Peterson's double strike gets South Africa closer to victory. Jadeja trying to up the ante gets a leading edge and Morkel makes no mistake at mid-off.
India 146/6 in 61.1 overs: This time Dhoni departs without creating too much trouble for the South Africans. Peterson has picked up a wicket to a ball which should have been put away.
India 134/5 in 57 overs: South Africa sitting pretty at the moment by picking up three wickets in the session so far. India will have to do something special from here on to save the Test match. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.
India 104/5 in 50.4 overs: Rohit was stuck in the crease as he played that, the movement takes the ball past the bat, struck on middle and off and the umpire raises the finger. Philander gets into the act as well as India looking down the barrel.
India 99/4 in 48 overs: Sharma and Rahane seems to have survived the initial storm unleashed by Steyn and Morkel. India needs to look for runs in order to get rid of the deficit and make South Africa bat again.
India 73/4 in 42 overs: Morkel and Steyn have started off brilliantly for South Africa by giving them the early breakthrough. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are the two new batsmen at the crease.
India 71/4 in 39.1 overs: Steyn strikes for the second time as Pujara finds his off-stump going for a walk in the park.
India 52/3 in 36.1 overs: It was shortish in that off stump channel and Kohli pushed at it with minimum foot movement, the ball carries through low to the keeper. Steyn strikes first ball.
Both the Indian openers are out there in the middle. Dale Steyn to start the proceedings on the final day of the Test match.
An enthralling last day on the cards as India would look to enforce a draw and South africa needs 8 wickets to win the match and the series.
Bad lights stop play, India trails by 98 runs with 8 wickets remaining. Kohli is playing on 11 while Pujara is not out on 32.
India 52/2 in 27.5 overs: South Africa gets the breakthrough they were looking for as Peterson takes the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan moves out to hit Peterson but Plessis takes a good catch at mid-wicket.
India 45/1 in 25 overs: (Shikhar Dhawan 18*, Cheteshwar Pujara 21*).
India 30/1 in 20 overs: (Shikhar Dhawan 16*, Cheteshwar Pujara 8*).
India 17/1 in 15 overs: (Shikhar Dhawan 9*, Cheteshwar Pujara 2*).
India 8/1 in 5.3 overs: India loses early wicket in the form of Murali Vijay. Philander pitches up to Vijay. Vijay moves up a bit and takes a half-hearted approach and edges it to Smith at first slip.
South Africa has taken a vital 166 runs first innings lead.
South Africa 500 for 10 in 155.2 overs: Jadeja takes his sixth wicket. Morkel pushes back the ball to Jadeja and he dives to his right to take a good catch.
South Africa 500 for 9 in 155 overs: Plessis is run out once again. Philander hits Zaheer Khan to mid-wicket and steps out for a run. There is a mix-up as Philander comes back. However Plessis had come a long way to get back to the crease and Rohit Sharma makes no mistake to hit the stumps.
Rain stopped play in the post-lunch session of the fourth and penultimate day in the second and final cricket Test between India and South Africa. South Africa were 497 for 8 in their first innings when the umpires stopped play due to rain with Faf du Plessis batting on 41. Robin Peterson was out for 61 just before the rain came. The home side have already taken a lead of 163 runs with two first innings wickets in hand.
South Africa 497 for 8 in 154.1 overs: Mohhamed shami finally gives India the breakthrough. Shami bowls a length delivery, Peterson fails to connect properly and the ball goes straight to Rohit at mid-off.
Peterson scores his third Test fifty off just 44 balls.
Peterson and Plessis have already added over 80 runs in 14 overs for the eighth wicket. South africa have taken a substantial first innings lead of 138 runs.
SA 464/7 in 150 overs: (Plessis 29*, Peterson 43*).
SA 427/7 in 140 overs: (Plessis 13*, Peterson 27*).
The start of the post-lunch session of the second and final cricket Test between India and South Africa was delayed due to rain.
SA 395/7 in 140 overs: Plessis and Peterson are batting on 5 each. SA has taken a 61-run lead.
SA 387/7 in 136.1 overs: Dale Styen batted very well for his 44. He was dismissed by Zaheer as Steyn edged it behind to keeper Dhoni.
SA 384/6 in 133 overs: Kallis has played a memorable innings, hitting 115 off 316 balls with 13 fours. Kallis edged it behind to Dhoni off Jadeja's bowling. Jadeja took his fifth wicket.
The last five overs have yielded just seven runs for the Proteas.
SA 374/5 in 130 overs: (Jacques Kallis 111*, Dale Steyn 37*)
SA 367/5 in 125 overs: (Jacques Kallis 106*, Dale Steyn 36*)
Kallis and Steyn have added 50 runs in 105 balls for the sixth wicket.
Veteran Jacques Kallis scores a memorable ton in his last Test match. His 45th Test century (seventh against India) comes in 273 balls and includes 13 fours.
South Africa takes first innings lead with five wickets still in hand. Jacques Kallis is just two runs short of his memorable ton.
SA 332/5 in 116 overs: Kallis is batting on 94, looks good for a memorable ton in his farewell match. Steyn is batting on 14.
SA 316/5 in 114 overs: Kallis going strong on 86, eyes a memorable farewell ton. Steyn is batting well at 6.
SA 309/5 in 110 overs: Kallis is still batting beautifully for his 83. Dale Styen is batting on 4. The pair looks to take the morning session bit carefully.
SA begins Day 4 at 299/5. Kallis eyes ton in his farewell match. He is batting on 78. Steyn gives him company on 0.
Kallis had played very well on the third day to end with 78 not out.
Patient Jacques Kallis anchors SA innings as hosts reach 299/5
SA 299/5 in 104.5 overs: Kallis is batting on 78, while Styen gives him company on 0. Rain stops play.
SA 298/5 in 103.2 overs: Duminy goes on backfoot to play a straighter one from Jadeja, misses it and is out LBW for 25.
SA 291/4 in 99 overs: Kallis is going strong on 74, while Duminy is batting at 23. The two look set to put SA to a big score.
SA 283/4 in 94 overs: Kallis has led South Africa to a strong total. He is batting on 71. Duminy gives him company on 19.
SA 267/4 in 89 overs: Kallis is batting on 61 while Duminy is unbeaten on 13. SA is just 67 runs behind India. Tea is called.
SA 259/4 in 85 overs: Kallis is batting on 59, Duminy on 9. Jadeja is the most impressive bowler, taking three wickets. He is creating the most problem for SA.
SA 251/4 in 80 overs: Spinners slow down things as only two runs are scored off the last five overs since Kallis made his 50. Duminy is batting at the crease on 5 not out.
SA 249/4 in 75.2 overs: Kallis hits a four to reach his 50. He faced 129 balls with 9 hits to the fence. This was Kallis 6th 50 against India.
SA 241/4 in 74.2 overs: Every run of Kallis is cheered on. Crowds road when he takes his 49th run.
SA 240/3 in 73.4 overs: Jadeja bowls a perfect outgoing delivery for AB de Villiers, who nicks it behind to first slip for 74. Jadeja takes his third wicket.
SA 236/3 in 73 overs: Crowds get excited as Kallis is batting on 48. Dhoni sets attacking field for Kallis. De Villiers is batting on 70.
SA 235/3 in 71 overs: Kallis looks good for a big score as he is batting on 47 not out. AB gives him company on 70 not out. Both have taken the India bowlers to cleaners, scoring runs off them very easily.
SA 221/3 in 66 overs: Kallis is batting quite well, playing at a well-made 41 off 97 balls with 7 fours. AB de Villiers is batting on 64 off 99 balls with 7 fours.
SA 203/3 in 62 overs: AB de Villiers reaches his second 50 against India, batted superbly under pressure. Kallis gives him company with an unbeaten 33. Kallis batting on 54 off 91 balls.
SA 181/3 in 57 overs: It was a mixed session for SA, who scored 99 runs and lost three wickets. Kallis is unbeaten on 26, while de Villiers is batting on 39.
SA 180/3 in 55 overs: Kallis looks in good form and would be hoping to turn out good in this match. Kallis is batting on 25, while de Villiers is unbeaten on 39.
SA 168/3 in 50 overs: Kallis, de Villiers look to have settled down as they are scoring at a good pace. They have put up 55-run patnership for the fourth wicket. Kallis is batting on 24, while de Villiers is batting on 28.
SA 144/3 in 44 overs: Kallis and de Villiers are rebuilding the innings after losing three quick wickets. Kallis is batting on 11, while de Villiers is batting on 17.
SA 123/3 in 38 overs: India's tails are up, as it has taken three quick wickets to put the pressure back on the Indians. Kallis yet to open his account, while de Villiers is batting on 10.
SA 113/3 in 33.1 overs: This time Jadeja gets into the act again, gets the outside edge of Petersen and the man at first slip makes no mistake. India making it count in the first session.
SA 113/2 in 33 overs: This is superb bowling from Mohammad Shami. Shami gets the ball to straighten and Amla had no answer to that, loses his off-stump.
SA 110/1 in 32 overs: South Africa going along nicely in the first half of the morning losing only one wicket of Smith. Petersen looking good on 60 and new man Amla getting his eye in. India needs to keep the pressure on and pick up wickets in the first session.
SA 103/1 in 27.1 overs: Smith going for the big one, did not quite get it in the middle of the bat and Dhawan running backwards takes a brilliant catch. Smith departs for well made 47 as South Africa lose their first wicket. Jadeja gets the breakthrough.
SA 93/0 in 22 overs: Both Smith and Petersen have got off the mark on Day 3 with a boundary. This might just be a long day for the Indians if they don't pick up early wickets.
Ravinder Jadeja to continue from the other end and the result the same. Four of the first ball.
The first over of the day and Ishant Sharma gives away 6 runs with a boundary of the first ball of the day.
The Indian team is being led out by MS Dhoni, the South Africa openers making there way out there in the middle as both of them jog ahead as well. Ishant will start proceedings with three slips and two men close in square on the leg side. Smith to take strike.
Dale Steyn rocks India with a six-wicket haul
All in readiness for the 3rd day's play to begin. Clear blue sky and a lovely morning in Durban.
A disappointing day for India as it was unable to put up a big score. SA openers did well to remain unbeaten at the draw of stumps. India needs to strike early on Day 3 to wrest advantage from South Africa.
SA 82/0 in 20 overs: SA openers flay Indian bowlers by hitting them all over the park. Smith remained unbeaten on 35 off 59 balls with 5 fours, while Petersen is batting on 46 off 61 balls with 7 fours. SA trails India by 252 runs at the end of second day.
SA 67/0 in 17 overs: Smith and Petersen take SA to good position. Smith is batting on 33, while Petersen is also batting on 33.
SA 40/0 in 10 overs: Smith is batting on 21 as Indian bowlers kept a bit tight in last few overs. Petersen looks to settle down as well, batting on 19.
SA 36/0 in 6 overs: Smith is the more aggressive partner, having hit 19 off just 16 balls with four fours, while Petersen is batting on 17 with 3 fours.
SA 19/0 in 2 overs: SA openers Petersen and Smith punish Indian bowlers for erring in line and length as they hit some lovely fours off the square region.
India had a rather poor second day, losing 9 wickets for 153 runs. India would be disappointed with their batting effort.
India 334/9 in 111.3 overs: Shami attempts to cut, but edges it to Smith at slip off Morkel's bowling. Rahane left stranded on 51. Shami made 1.
India 333/9 in 110 overs: Rahane gets to his 50 with a single. Shami gives him company.
India 330/9 in 108.5 overs: Sharma falls for four after he gives another catch at slips to keeper de Villiers of Steyn's bowling. Steyn takes his 6th wicket.
India 322/8 in 108.2 overs: Zaheer falls for another duck as gives a catch to keeper de Villiers off Styen bowling. Styen takes his 5th wicket of the innings.
India 321/7 in 107.5 overs: Jadeja's tentative push gets an edge off his bat to first slip Kallis off Duminy's bowling. Kallis takes his 200th Test catch. Jadeja falls for duck.
India 320/6 in 106.4 overs: Dhoni attempts to play a square drive away from the body and edges it behind to slips off Dale Steyn's bowling. Dhoni made 24 off 40 balls. Steyn takes his fourth wicket. Rahane going strong on 47 not out.
India 320/5 in 106 overs: Rahane is batting brilliant for his 47, while Dhoni has kept the scorecard ticking with a quickfire 24. SA has resorted to spin bowling at the moment. India looks to capitalise on it.
India 306/5 in 102 overs: India reaches the 300-run mark and lot depends on Dhoni and Rahane how they take the innings forward. Only tailenders are left to follow. Dhoni is batting on 15, Rahane is 39 not out.
India 289/5 in 100 overs: Dhoni and Rahane look to rebuild innings. Rahane is going strong on 34, while Dhoni is batting on 6 not out.
India 271/5 in 95 overs: It's more of Indian batsman poor strokes that cost them wicket than pure good SA bowling. Dhoni gives company to Rahane at break. Dhoni yet to open account, Rahane batting on 23 not out.
India 265/5 in 92.2 overs: Kohli tries to flick a leg-side delivery, but gets an edge behind to keeper de Villiers for 46. Morkel is the bowler.
India 265/4 in 92 overs: India is dicating terms now with Kohli leading the fightback with a brilliant unbeaten 46. Rahane gives him company on an unbeaten 17.
India 253/4 in 87 overs: India is slowly getting back into the game through Kohli. The batsman looks in good form as he raced to 37, while Rahane bats on 14 not out.
India 241/4 in 84 overs: Kohli is batting on 31, trying to force runs and put SA on backfoot, while Rahane is giving solid support on 9 not out.
India 224/4 in 80 overs: Kohli and Rahane show strong defence to tide over the difficult phase of the first session. Kohli is going strong on 18. Rahane is batting on 5.
India 210/4 in 73 overs: India looks to rebuild innings through Kohli and Rahane. Kohli is batting on 6. Three quick wickets have put India on back foot and they would like to restore normalcy in India's innings.
India 199/4 in 68.6 overs: Rohit Sharma falls for a golden duck. Rohit leaves the ball but it darts in to rattle the stumps of the Indian batsman. Steyn seems to be finding the form now with the ball that has much evaded him for better part of the series. India lost three wickets for just a run.
India 199/3 in 68.5 overs: Vijay tries to fend off a short ball from Steyn but gets his glove to it and edges it behind to keeper de Villiers. Vijay falls for a heartbreaking 97 after playing so well.
India 198/2 in 66.3 overs: Pujara goes for expansive drive, but edges it behind to keeper de Villiers for a well-made 70.
India 189/1 in 63 overs: Vijay has started with the right earnest. He has moved on to 96, looks good for his first century abroad.
Match begins, with Vijay and Pujara taking fresh guard.
India has taken an early lunch while the ground gets ready for play. Minimum 75 overs will be bowled today.
Unfortunately, it has been drizzling all morning in Durban and the start is likely to be delayed.
India sitting pretty at 181/1 as we wait for the start of the second day's play. Murali Vijay batting on 91 and Cheteshwar Pujara batting on 58 are the two overnight batsmen for India.
Murali Vijay returns to form as India takes control of second Test
Match has been called off for the day as there are no possibility of light improving. India had a good day, ending at 181/6. Pujara and Vijay are leading the attack. Pujara is batting on 58, while Vijay is unbeaten on 91.
India 181/1 in 61 overs: Vijay was batting on 91 and Pujara 58 when play was called off due to bad light.
India 179/1 in 57 overs: Vijay is batting superbly and looked good for a big score, he's batting on 90 not out off 183 balls with 17 fours. Pujara gives him company on 57 not out.
India had a good session after lunch. India scored 87 runs without losing a wicket. SA bowlers look clueless against Indian batsman.
India 163/1 in 53 overs (tea called): Vijay is holding the innings together with a brilliant 76, while Pujara is giving him company with 56 not out.
India 159/1 in 51.1 overs: Although stranded in 40s for a long time, Pujara kept his cool to reach his 4th Test 50. He played 97 balls and hit 7 fours in his knock.
India 154/1 in 47 overs: Vijay dominates the SA bowling with a brilliant 73. Pujara looks for another 50, batting on 48 not out.
India 145/1 in 43 overs: Vijay is going strong on 71 with help of 14 fours. He is literally toying with SA bowling. Pujara is batting on 42.
India 136/1 in 39 overs: India is on top, scoring runs in the second session at almost five runs per over. Vijay is batting on 62 not out, while Pujara is on 42 not out.
India 121/1 in 34 overs: Vijay took his time to settle down, but soon got into groove, strucking his first 50 of the tour, off 104 balls with 11 splendid fours.
India 104/1 in 30 overs: Vijay looks good as he struck two back to back fours to get India past the 100-run mark. He is currently batting on 42. Pujara not out on 30.
India 88/1 in 28 overs: Pujara is more agressive post lunch, trying to get quick runs on the board.
India 83/1 in 27 overs: First over after lunch well negotiated by the Indians.
Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara are out there in the middle. Play to resume after lunch. Dale Steyn with the ball in hand.
The session before lunch has been good for India. India lost Dhawan after the southpaw became a bit adventurous and went for a shots too many and lost his wickets due to an edge behind the wicket. Otherwise, Vijay and Pujara look solid at the crease.
India 76/1 in 26 overs (lunch called): India is comfortably placed at 76/1. Vijay is going strong on 33 not out. Pujara is 13 not out at the crease.
India 60/1 in 21 overs: Pujara and Vijay have kept things in control. Pujara looks comfortable against the short-pitch bowling. Vijay is batting on 24. Pujara is not out on 10.
India 50/1 in 16 overs: Vijay and Pujara are there at the crease, trying to bring some normalcy in the proceedings and put up a big partnership. Vijay batting on 15.
India 41/1 in 13.1 overs: Dhawan plays an outgoing delivery from Morkel, but founds an inside edge going to slip fielder Petersen. Dhawan falls for an entertaining 29.
India 38/0 in 10 overs: Dhawan is going strong at 28 not out, smashing some perfect boundaries. SA bowlers toil hard, but unable to break the rhythm of Dhawan and Vijay.
India 23/0 in 5 overs: India off the positive start. The Indian openers begin well. Dhawan is the more aggressive partner, batting on 17 not out. Vijay gives him company at 6 not out.
At the end of 5 overs: India 23/0.
Dhawan off the mark with a boundary as India end the first over 5/0.
Both the Indian openers are out there in the middle. Shikhar Dhawan to take strike as Murali Vijay goes to the non-strikers end. Dale Steyn with the new ball.
Jacques Kallis leads South Africa onto the field amid warm applause and a guard of honour by some children.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat against South Africa in the second and final cricket Test at Kingsmead, here today.
Both the teams have made one change each in their teams from the Johannesburg Test, which ended in a thrilling draw.
India have replaced off-spinner R Ashwin with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja while the hosts have brought in left-arm spinner Robin Peterson in place of leg-break bowler Imran Tahir.
Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan and Mohammed Shami.
South Africa: Greame Smith (C), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jaques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
Preview:
Durban: After sharing the honours in a thrilling draw, India and South Africa will renew their exciting battle for supremacy in the series-deciding second and final cricket Test which promises to be another epic encounter starting here tomorrow.
India had more positives from drawn first Test: Cheteshwar Pujara
The opening Test between the number one (South Africa) and number two (India) turned out to be the most perfect advertisement for Test cricket giving five days of an engaging clash.
In the end, South Africa were left needing just eight runs for what would have been one of the most memorable Test wins of all time. India, on the other hand, were left wondering as to what turned the fortunes so drastically after four days of domination.
At Kingsmead, on Boxing Day, the two sides will go head-to-head in a decider that is more than just another five-day game.
Ever since this tour got embroiled in a battle between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa for off-field matters, it has been about bragging rights.
Seemingly both sides knew what to expect from this short tour, one that did no favours to the watching fans, sponsors or broadcasters. It was about gaining supremacy over the other, and indeed there was a certain path needed to be taken to achieve this.
For South Africa, it had to begin early. The three-ODI-series was where they could do some real damage because there weren't any practice games.
The Indian team flew in, fresh from an ever-lasting home season with little know-how to deal with conditions here. Not to mention, there was a lot to prove after the retirement of senior stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman over the past year. They had to be put on the back-foot immediately.
And so it happened. The number-five ranked ODI team handed out a 2-0 defeat to the number-one ranked side, a spanking really considering the huge margins of 141 runs and 136 runs in the two completed matches at Johannesburg and Durban.
Words like 'scared' and 'scarred' became part of the cricket dictionary. Virat Kohli's image of sticking ice-packs to his ribcage was telecast across the world. India were bruised and there was more headed their way.
Surprisingly, for the hosts, they stood up to this tough talk. Putting his hand up first was Kohli who swatted the Proteas' attack in the first innings at Wanderers, with a brilliant first hundred in this country.
The roles were reversed, for he sparked such an inspiration in his team-mates, who realised that they were collectively the world's second-best Test XI. Subsequently, the short bowling subsided and Team India dominated for four days of that match.
The number-one ranked Test side though couldn't be beaten, as they bounced back from near-defeat and rose up to near-victory in the span of three sessions on the last day. And so, the first match of this series came to be hailed as the greatest drawn Test ever.
Now, all of it boils down to what happens in Durban.
India have been meticulous in the way they have met with the daunting challenge this trip has been. A young team, out to take on the world, they have battled hard.
They realised early that the ODIs were a lost cause and instead used those games to steel themselves for the challenges ahead.
Despite two and a half days of competitive cricket washed away by unseasonal summer rains here, the batsmen knew which balls to leave and which to score off. The bowlers knew how to hit the right lengths, guided by the return of Zaheer Khan.
The visitors carry momentum into this second Test, especially with the way they strangled South Africa in that last hour's play, forcing them to call their world-record pursuit mere eight runs short of creating history.
If the hosts ought to be believed, all they wanted to do was save the Test and they succeeded. They wanted this chance to win the series, in this last encounter before Team India leaves.
Both teams have built themselves up for this contest in a manner befitting their dressing room environment. Even so, cricket always includes the uncertainty factor and there are doubts plaguing both sides.
For India, the major concern ahead of this Durban Test is the fatigue factor of their bowling attack. Zaheer, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma did a majority of the work, with R Ashwin providing holding support.
With just three days in between these two games, are their frontline bowlers fit enough? Will the lone spinner play a more pivotal role now, at Kingsmead, wherein the pitch is supposed to have slowed down? These are the questions that the hosts would have to answer.
"There is a lot of bounce in this wicket that should keep both the batsmen and the bowlers interested," said curator Wilson Ngobese.
"Batting in the first hour of the mornings here should be challenging for there is always some moisture in the air to be exploited. Of course spin might come into play as the match progresses, more than what it did at Wanderers."
South Africa will not like that last sentence. The last Test they won at this ground, on this pitch, came nearly six years ago, when they beat West Indies by an innings and 100 runs in January 2008. Since then, the Proteas haven't won here in four Test matches.
What's more, in each of these four Tests, they have been bowled for under-200 in atleast one of the two innings. To add further concern, out of the 80 wickets they have lost in these four matches, 29 were taken by spinners.
That last bit gets highlighted when it is considered that South Africa isn't traditionally a suitable environment for spinners.
A case in point is Harbhajan Singh's performance from that 2010-11 victory for India here. The Turbanator had struggled in the first Test at Centurion (2-169), only to wreak havoc at Durban with match-winning figures of 6-80.
It might bring some inspiration to Ashwin who went wicketless in the two innings at Johannesburg, and hope to Imran Tahir, who after being smacked to all corners of the park is a doubtful starter in this Test for the Proteas.
But the answer to that question is dependent on the fitness of pacer Morne Morkel, who twisted his ankle on day three at Johannesburg.
If he is fit and does play, Tahir might sit out with either left-arm spinner Robin Peterson taking his place, or the hosts will go in with an all-pace attack including fast bowler Kyle Abbott.
If Morkel sits out, Abbott will come in nevertheless and Tahir might still be included in the attack which will bear a dishevelled look, enough to dent South Africa's confidence ahead of this tour's climax.
After sharing the honours in a thrilling draw, India and South Africa will renew their exciting battle for supremacy in the series-deciding second and final cricket Test which promises to be another epic encounter starting here tomorrow.
India had more positives from drawn first Test: Cheteshwar Pujara
The opening Test between the number one (South Africa) and number two (India) turned out to be the most perfect advertisement for Test cricket giving five days of an engaging clash.
In the end, South Africa were left needing just eight runs for what would have been one of the most memorable Test wins of all time. India, on the other hand, were left wondering as to what turned the fortunes so drastically after four days of domination.
At Kingsmead, on Boxing Day, the two sides will go head-to-head in a decider that is more than just another five-day game.
Ever since this tour got embroiled in a battle between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa for off-field matters, it has been about bragging rights.
Seemingly both sides knew what to expect from this short tour, one that did no favours to the watching fans, sponsors or broadcasters. It was about gaining supremacy over the other, and indeed there was a certain path needed to be taken to achieve this.
For South Africa, it had to begin early. The three-ODI-series was where they could do some real damage because there weren't any practice games.
The Indian team flew in, fresh from an ever-lasting home season with little know-how to deal with conditions here. Not to mention, there was a lot to prove after the retirement of senior stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman over the past year. They had to be put on the back-foot immediately.
And so it happened. The number-five ranked ODI team handed out a 2-0 defeat to the number-one ranked side, a spanking really considering the huge margins of 141 runs and 136 runs in the two completed matches at Johannesburg and Durban.
Words like 'scared' and 'scarred' became part of the cricket dictionary. Virat Kohli's image of sticking ice-packs to his ribcage was telecast across the world. India were bruised and there was more headed their way.
Surprisingly, for the hosts, they stood up to this tough talk. Putting his hand up first was Kohli who swatted the Proteas' attack in the first innings at Wanderers, with a brilliant first hundred in this country.
The roles were reversed, for he sparked such an inspiration in his team-mates, who realised that they were collectively the world's second-best Test XI. Subsequently, the short bowling subsided and Team India dominated for four days of that match.
The number-one ranked Test side though couldn't be beaten, as they bounced back from near-defeat and rose up to near-victory in the span of three sessions on the last day. And so, the first match of this series came to be hailed as the greatest drawn Test ever.
Now, all of it boils down to what happens in Durban.
India have been meticulous in the way they have met with the daunting challenge this trip has been. A young team, out to take on the world, they have battled hard.
They realised early that the ODIs were a lost cause and instead used those games to steel themselves for the challenges ahead.
Despite two and a half days of competitive cricket washed away by unseasonal summer rains here, the batsmen knew which balls to leave and which to score off. The bowlers knew how to hit the right lengths, guided by the return of Zaheer Khan.
The visitors carry momentum into this second Test, especially with the way they strangled South Africa in that last hour's play, forcing them to call their world-record pursuit mere eight runs short of creating history.
If the hosts ought to be believed, all they wanted to do was save the Test and they succeeded. They wanted this chance to win the series, in this last encounter before Team India leaves.
Both teams have built themselves up for this contest in a manner befitting their dressing room environment. Even so, cricket always includes the uncertainty factor and there are doubts plaguing both sides.
For India, the major concern ahead of this Durban Test is the fatigue factor of their bowling attack. Zaheer, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma did a majority of the work, with R Ashwin providing holding support.
With just three days in between these two games, are their frontline bowlers fit enough? Will the lone spinner play a more pivotal role now, at Kingsmead, wherein the pitch is supposed to have slowed down? These are the questions that the hosts would have to answer.
"There is a lot of bounce in this wicket that should keep both the batsmen and the bowlers interested," said curator Wilson Ngobese.
"Batting in the first hour of the mornings here should be challenging for there is always some moisture in the air to be exploited. Of course spin might come into play as the match progresses, more than what it did at Wanderers."
South Africa will not like that last sentence. The last Test they won at this ground, on this pitch, came nearly six years ago, when they beat West Indies by an innings and 100 runs in January 2008. Since then, the Proteas haven't won here in four Test matches.
What's more, in each of these four Tests, they have been bowled for under-200 in atleast one of the two innings. To add further concern, out of the 80 wickets they have lost in these four matches, 29 were taken by spinners.
That last bit gets highlighted when it is considered that South Africa isn't traditionally a suitable environment for spinners.
A case in point is Harbhajan Singh's performance from that 2010-11 victory for India here. The Turbanator had struggled in the first Test at Centurion (2-169), only to wreak havoc at Durban with match-winning figures of 6-80.
It might bring some inspiration to Ashwin who went wicketless in the two innings at Johannesburg, and hope to Imran Tahir, who after being smacked to all corners of the park is a doubtful starter in this Test for the Proteas.
But the answer to that question is dependent on the fitness of pacer Morne Morkel, who twisted his ankle on day three at Johannesburg.
If he is fit and does play, Tahir might sit out with either left-arm spinner Robin Peterson taking his place, or the hosts will go in with an all-pace attack including fast bowler Kyle Abbott.
If Morkel sits out, Abbott will come in nevertheless and Tahir might still be included in the attack which will bear a dishevelled look, enough to dent South Africa's confidence ahead of this tour's climax. (Source-PTI)
