Shukri Conrad explains rationale behind delayed Proteas declaration

With a lead of more than 500 runs at lunch, the South Africans surprised many by coming out to bat again in the final session and running the risk of not having enough time to bowl the hosts out on the final day.  

Conrad explained that the strategy was to tire the Indian players out some more, a decision he insists they will stand by even if it doesn’t work out. 

"We wanted India to come out again after lunch and again spend time on their feet – their bowlers spent a lot of time out there, and we saw the effects on them of us batting for two full days in the first innings," said Conrad.

"And it was never going to be easy for their opening batters to come in this evening, especially with the new ball and shadows across the wicket – we felt we could strike there.

"So if tomorrow it comes that we have them eight down and people say, 'Well, you see, we told you so,' then well... We've got to base it on our sound judgement, and if that doesn't work out well then it doesn't, but I don't think there's a right and wrong in any of this."

READ: Proteas on the brink of historic Test series win in India

The highest ever successful run chase in Test cricket history was 418 by West Indies against Australia, which came back in 2003. 

With eight wickets still to get in three sessions and a 522-run cushion, Conrad believes the series is already in the bag for his side, which would end a 25-year drought on Indian soil. 

"Obviously 2-0 is a lot better than 1-0, but like I said, this game never ceases to amaze us. But I'd like to think that the series is secured, I'd like to think that," he added.

"But we're going to go all out for the win, and hopefully Marco and the spinners can do the job tomorrow – I think this wicket has stayed remarkably good; we did expect it to deteriorate a little bit more.

"But there's just maybe a bit more consistent spin now, more than anything else, but we're going to give it our best shot tomorrow."