India 454/8 on Day 4,still trail by 30 runs

With an entire final day remaining,India’s chances of saving the match depends on Tendulkar and how the elements play a role in the high-profile series opener. But it appears almost imposible for India to save the game with just two wickets remaining.

Tendulkar and Dhoni,who joined forces when an innings defeat was staring on India at 277 for six just before lunch,were never in discomfort while facing the South African bowlers throughout their innings. They denied any success to the South African bowlers for more than three hours while adding runs at a brisk pace.

Tendulkar reached the historic moment with a single off Steyn,a perfectly placed drive that pierced through cover and extra cover midway into the final session.

But,the joy of the iconic batsman reaching the milestone did not last long as just four overs later,Dhoni perished to a rising delivery from Steyn. The Indian captain was caught in an awkward position and fended it to Boucher,who took a neat catch,diving to his right.

Once the big partnership between Tendulkar and Dhoni was broken with the latter falling victim to Steyn,India lost Harbhajan Singh who could score just one run from two balls just before rain interruption.

Earlier,Tendulkar and Dhoni denied the South Africans any success in the post-lunch session as India reached 394 for six at the tea break.

The duo,who added 117 runs from 28.1 overs,were in no trouble facing the South African bowlers as they scored at a brisked pace and reducing the deficit to 90 runs.

Tendulkar,who came in at the fall of nightwatchman Ishant Sharma at 214 for three in the morning session stood rock solid while Dhoni was even more aggressive than his senior partner at one stage.