PORT ELIZABETH (South Africa), Nov 19: Rain seemed India’s most likely saviour after a weather-shortened fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park Monday.

India, set to make 395 to win, were 28 for one when bad light caused the third and final stoppage of a day during which only 25 overs were bowled because of rain and bad light. Further showers were expected on the final day Tuesday.

Indian opening batsman Shiv Sunder Das was caught behind off Shaun Pollock in the first over of the final innings but Deep Dasgupta and Rahul Dravid survived 17 testing overs before play was called off.

South Africa declared after advancing their total by 22 runs in seven overs during the only play that was possible between the scheduled start and the afternoon tea break.

The bad weather meant that Jacques Kallis was denied the chance to score his 10th Test century and his first against India. Scoring only five more runs Monday, he finished unbeaten on 89.

Pollock batted aggressively to take his score to 55 not out before the declaration.

Rain started falling soon after the players went on the field during the afternoon but the South Africans decided to carry on batting until the rain became heavy and the umpires stopped play.

The weather eliminated any chance of India’s winning. They will face a maximum of 105 overs if the weather clears Tuesday but the chances of a full day’s play seemed remote.

Only twice before have teams successfully chased more than the 395 needed to win. The highest winning fourth innings in a Test match was 406 for four by India against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1975-76.

India seemed in for a torrid time when Pollock made the fifth ball of the innings kick at Das, who tried to withdraw his bat but top-edged the ball to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher.

Both Dasgupta and Dravid were beaten by South Africa’s fast bowlers, who were guilty of not making the batsmen play enough deliveries on a well-grassed pitch.