Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 170 as South Africa took a firm grip on the first Test against India on Sunday.
Amla took his overnight third-wicket stand with Jacques Kallis (173) to 340 to help South Africa reach a commanding first-innings score of 379 for three at lunch on the second day.
AB de Villiers (17) was at the crease with Amla, 115 overnight, after Kallis fell to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on a VCA Stadium pitch that had started to offer turn and bounce for spinners.
South Africa are seeking a rare series victory in India to reclaim the number one Test ranking from the hosts and added 88 runs for the loss of one wicket in the day’s opening session.
Kallis, 159 overnight, was denied a double century when caught at short leg by Murali Vijay after the tourists resumed at 291-2.
Number three batsman Amla was dropped on 149 by Vijay at short-leg off Harbhajan who bowled an attacking line after playing a restrictive role on the opening day.
Amla played some fluent shots, the pick being a short-arm pull off medium-pacer Ishant Sharma after Kallis took almost 40 minutes to add to his overnight score.
De Villiers added 33 for the fourth wicket with Amla who was confidently approaching a debut double century. – Reuters