Nagpur: The flat decks in India no longer worry pacers, said South Africa captain Graeme Smith as he attributed Dale Steyn's devastating form in the first Test against India to a changed mindset of not letting conditions dictate bowling.

There were different prayers on the lips of various groups of people when the fourth day's play began. South Africa's cricketers wanted a no-fuss finish, India's men a hero to show some fight and character.

New Delhi: With the Nagpur Test in danger of going South Africa's way the BCCI is desperate for India to hang on to the No. 1 Test ranking.

India may be facing the prospect of an innings defeat inside four days but dashing opener Virender Sehwag on Monday sounded confident that the hosts would pull a rabbit out of the hat and save the opening Test against South Africa.

Nagpur: Dale Steyn produced a sensational exhibition of seam bowling to rip apart India's fragile middle order and leave the hosts staring at an embarrassing defeat in the first Test against South Africa here on Monday.

Nagpur: India 66/2 at day3 stumps, still trailing by 259 with Vijay and Tendulkar at the crease. Earlier Steyn took 7/51 to bowl out India for 233 and make them follow on.

Nagpur: India coach Gary Kirsten believes his team can still win the first Test against South Africa and said the onus is now on the batsmen to bring the home side back into the match.

Centuries from Jacques Kallis and Hashim Alma helped South Africa gain the initiative on a slow first day of the first Test against India in Nagpur.

Nagpur: The experienced Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla struck unbeaten centuries as South Africa recovered from two early jolts to take control of the first Test against India here on Saturday.

Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla scored a ton each on Saturday as South Africa reached a strong position at stumps on the first day of the first Test match against India. Kallis was batting on 159 and Amla on 115.