South Africa had India struggling at 27/2 after declaring their innings and setting a massive target of 549 to be on the verge of winning the series in the second Test on Tuesday.
Tristan Stubbs scored 94 in the final session on day four in Guwahati, and South Africa declared 260-5. South Africa, the world Test champions, are ahead 1-0 in the two-match series, and even a draw would guarantee their first series win in India since 2000.
In the first Test in Kolkata, India lost for the fourth time in six home matches. To avoid losing the series again, the hosts must bat for three more sessions on Day 5, which looks highly unlikely.
The West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003 is the highest successful run chase in Test cricket. India’s highest run chase of 406 in Test cricket came against the West Indies way back in 1976.
Sai Sudharsan (2) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4) were fighting for survival when bad light stopped play.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed by South Africa pace spearhead Marco Jansen with a short delivery outside the off stump, leaving him caught behind for 13. With statistics of 6-48 in India’s opening innings, Jansen increased his match haul to seven wickets.
The other opener, KL Rahul, was bowled for six by off-spinner Simon Harmer.
South Africa need just eight more wickets to seal a 2-0 series win, while India must bat through the final day to escape with a draw.
Earlier, Stubbs was the last man dismissed, bowled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who finished with figures of 4/62. Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten on 35.
Stubbs shared a 101-run stand for the fourth wicket with Tony de Zorzi, who was on 49 when Jadeja finally broke the partnership. Jadeja trapped de Zorzi lbw, denying him a well-deserved fifty, but Stubbs held his ground, frustrating the Indian attack during a 180-ball innings that included nine fours and a six.
After dismissing India for 201 on day three to take a 288-run advantage in the first innings, South Africa resumed at 26-0. To make things worse for the hosts, they chose to bat once more instead of enforcing the follow-on.
Ryan Rickelton, the left-handed opener, struck three fours in the opening session before being caught for 35 by Jadeja while attempting another hit over cover.
Aiden Markram, the other overnight batsman, was struck out for 29 by Jadeja, while captain Temba Bavuma was removed for 3 by fellow spinner Washington Sundar.
While frustrated home supporters at a mostly empty stadium waited for the agony to end, the Indian fielders looked worn out during a 78.3-over South African innings.
