India in trouble after South Africa sets huge target

Chasing an improbable 549-run target, India was down to 27-2 at stumps on Day 4 of the second cricket Test against South Africa.

India lost its openers early, with Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind for 13 and Lokesh Rahul bowled for six.

At the end of play, Sai Sudharsan (2no) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4no) were at the crease, with India needing to play out day five to salvage a draw.

It came after Tristan Stubbs headlined South Africa's second innings, scoring 94 off 180 balls including nine fours and a six.

The Proteas batted deep into Day 4 and declared late in the final session at 260-5 in 78.3 overs, taking an overall 548-run lead.

On Monday, Marco Jansen took 6-48 to help South Africa take a 314-run first innings lead when India was bowled out for 201 in reply to 489.

World Test Championship winner South Africa leads the two-match series after winning the opener in Kolkata by 30 runs. The Proteas are chasing a first test series win on Indian soil since 2000-01.

South Africa had started day four on 0-26 and Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton put on 59 runs for the first wicket before Ravindra Jadeja had Rickelton caught at cover for 35.

India then struck twice in quick time as the top order wobbled. Jadeja bowled Markram (29) in the 29th over and Washington Sundar had Temba Bavuma (3) caught at leg slip.

Tony De Zorzi then hit two fours and a six to counter the Indian bowling, and put on 101 runs off 160 deliveries with Stubbs for the fourth wicket on either side of the tea break.

South Africa went to tea at 107-3, with a lead of 395 runs, but weren't content yet. De Zorzi scored 49 off 68 balls before he was out lbw to Jadeja.

Overall, Jadeja picked up 4-62 in 28.3 overs in the second innings even as India's attack toiled hard.

Pacemen Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj only shared 11 overs as Jadeja and Sundar (1-67 in 22 overs) picked up most of the bowling load.

Stubbs said he was "a little disappointed" to miss a century.

"But they are two down now, so we will take that," he said.

"It was about batting time today and we had 40 minutes after lunch. I had to get it done when Jadeja came on to bowl, but missed my chance. Tomorrow, if we bowl in the right areas, there's enough in this wicket (to force a win)."