• Ngidi knocks over Kohli

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    Lungi Ngidi’s fiery spell of 2-14 late on day four is our Play of the Day.

    The Proteas set India a target of 287 late on day four and the momentum was with the hosts as the game moved into the fourth innings.

    That said, South Africa needed a few wickets to strengthen their hold on the contest as Kagiso Rabada made the  breakthrough when he got Murali Vijay to play the ball back on to his stumps.

    Ngidi was brought on as first change, and claimed two crucial wickets before the close of play.

    DAY FOUR REPORT: Rampant Ngidi edges SA closer to series win

    Lokesh Rahul will regret the shot that led to his dismissal. The first ball of Ngidi’s spell was wide of off-stump, and Rahul only succeeded in hitting it to Keshav Maharaj at point.

    The debutant made a statement with the delivery that dismissed Indian captain Virat Kohli, who scored 153 in the first innings. He came into the second dig as the visitors’ key man, and the biggest obstacle between South Africa and a series-clinching win.

    Ngidi fired the ball down towards the batsman when it deviated off the pitch, and struck Kohli on the pad. The umpire gave Kohli out on the spot, and India’s review only confirmed the on-field decision.

    Ngidi continued to bowl with intent. Parthiv Patel, promoted ahead of Rohit Sharma, was struck on the body by a couple of well directed short deliveries shortly before the close of play.

    With the variable bounce at Centurion, Ngidi will have the opportunity to inflict further damage on day five as South Africa will be hot favourites to claim the remaining seven wickets sooner rather than later.

    It’s fair to say, though, that Ngidi has already made a statement with the dismissal of Kohli, the one player capable of dragging India back into this contest.

    Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

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    Jon Cardinelli