Sachin Tendulkar struck a fighting fifty but could not prevent South Africa from moving

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closer to victory in the opening test on Tuesday.

India were 162 for four at lunch on the fourth day, 163 runs behind South Africa's imposing first innings of 558 for six declared with their last recognised batting pair of Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (9) at the crease.

Tendulkar, 77 not out, had taken his overnight third wicket stand with Murali Vijay to 72 before the tourists grabbed two wickets to tighten their grip on the match.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris dismissed Vijay for 32 after India resumed on 66-2 after being forced to follow-on.

Vijay top-edged an attempted sweep to Morne Morkel at fine leg after Harris had frustrated the batsman by bowling a defensive leg-side line.

Left-arm medium-pacer Wayne Parnell then dismissed Subramaniam Badrinath caught behind by Mark Boucher for six. The debutant batsman had scored a fifty in the first innings.

Tendulkar had a fortunate escape on 45 when he was dropped by Jacques Kallis at slip off Parnell but recovered his composure to strike Dale Steyn for a boundary off his pads, one of 11 fours in his innings.

Hashim Amla hit a double century and Kallis struck 173 to put South Africa in control, with Steyn returning career-best figures of seven for 51 on Monday to bowl out top-ranked India for 233 in their first innings.

South Africa will reclaim the number one ranking if they win the series. The second and final test starts in Kolkata at the weekend.