Defiant Amla century makes India wait

South Africa's Hashim Amla struck a defiant century to keep hosts India waiting for a second-test victory that would level the series on Thursday.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took three wickets in a sensational 13-over spell, with eight maidens and conceding just nine runs, to leave South Africa struggling at 250 for seven at tea, still 97 behind, on the last day.

Amla, who made 114 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 106 and left-hander Wayne Parnell was not out on a chancy 22.

Harbhajan dismissed overnight batsman Ashwell Prince for 23, JP Duminy for six and Dale Steyn for one in a spell that destroyed South Africa's middle-order after the tourists resumed on 115 for three.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra took his third wicket of the innings when he had AB de Villiers lbw for three just before lunch.

South Africa, 1-0 up in the series, are bidding for their first series victory in India in a decade and to reclaim the number one ranking from the hosts.

Indian spearhead Zaheer Khan did not take the field in the morning after straining his quadricep on the fourth day when only 34.1 overs had been possible due to rain and bad light.

The overnight pair of Amla and Prince stuck out 26.4 overs before Harbhajan struck when the off-spinner had Prince playing loosely to be caught at mid-off.

Mishra had de Villiers leg before with a googly and Harbhajan fired out left-hander Duminy and Steyn leg before in quick succession after lunch.

Amla, who hit a double century in the first test at Nagpur that the tourists won by an innings, batted beautifully.

Amla forged a partnership of 70 with left-handed Parnell, who was lucky to be dropped on 13 by Suresh Raina at gully off pacer Ishant Sharma in the first over of the second new ball.