Jasprit Bumrah produced a couple of magic deliveries at the fag end of the fourth day as India remained on course for an emphatic victory against a rattled South Africa in the first Test here on Wednesday.
Chasing a never achieved victory target of 305 at the Supersport Park, South Africa finished the day at 94 for 4 with Elgar unbeaten on 52 after Indian batters caved in on a track with uneven bounce, getting all-out for 174 in just 50.3 overs.
The home side would be hoping for their captain Dean Elgar’s dogged defiance to continue, along with Temba Bavuma, and mind you, if enough overs are possible, India could also be under pressure if the likes of Quinton de Kock and Wiaan Mulder get going.
But there has been the threat of rain on the final day on Thursday for a while now.
The match is supposed to start at 10 am local time and initial signs are that a timely start is very much on the cards with the threat of rain (% in the column below) increasing through the day.
At the start of the broadcast on Star Sports, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, speaking from a sunny Centurion, said that there were predictions locally of showers at 1pm and 3 pm SAST, but added that he expected the match to get over by then.
From those present in the venue, the early update was good for some cricket in the first session:
Warming up to what looks like a fascinating final day of the Test match 👌🏟️#TeamIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/sfM8KrEF4v
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021
In case you were wondering, here's a quick weather update from our man in Centurion, @TelfordVice #SAvIND
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 30, 2021
"Brilliant morning here, and the threat of rain has receded well into the afternoon" pic.twitter.com/RGB8qD73GM
8.42am update: SuperSport Park bathed in glorious sunshine and not a cloud in sight. #INDvSA #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/BW9UjJU0CN
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) December 30, 2021