India on top with a lead of 320

JOHANNESBURG: Cheteshwar Pujara punished South Africa´s wilting bowling attack with a sparkling 135 not out as he and Virat Kohli helped India take complete control of the first test at the Wanderers on Friday.

A third-wicket stand of 191 between Pujara and Kohli (77 not out) lifted India to 284 for two in their second innings at the close of play, a commanding lead of 320 on a pitch that still has plenty to offer the bowlers.

South Africa´s cause has not been helped by a grade one ankle ligament strain to Morne Morkel that has robbed them of one of their main strike weapons and makes him a serious doubt for the second test starting in Durban on Boxing Day.

The Proteas´ main worries, however, are more immediate. Pujara showed admirable patience and plenty of skill in compiling his sixth test century, but did offer a relatively simple caught and bowled chance to the hapless Imran Tahir when he had just passed his 50.

The leg-spinner put it down to compound a miserable match in which he has conceded 102 runs in 19 overs without taking a wicket.

As the South African attack began to tire, Pujara and Kohli stepped up the scoring rate and smashed 175 in 38 overs in the final session, making a mockery of the difficult pitch conditions.

South Africa had said before he day´s play that chasing anything over 250 would be a challenge. If that is the case then their task has surely become one of survival in the game rather than potential victors with two days still to play. (Reuters)