By now the Proteas would have figured how how best to use their time during rain delays.

For the fourth day in a row the elements conspired to prevent any play resulting in the second Test against India in Bengaluru ending in a draw.

All the action was on the first day when South Africa were bundled out for 214, AB de Villiers the saviour with 85, before India moved to 80/0 by the time play was called.

The rain meant that De Villiers’ 100th Test match was something of a damp squib given that most of it was spent indoors and had very little cricket involved.

“We’ve only had something like seven days of cricket in our last four Test matches,” Hashim Amla said after play was abandoned by the match officials.

The Proteas captain was of course referring to the fact that they lost four days here, the first Test against India, which ended in a bruising loss, only lasted three days and then the two Test series against Bangladesh at the end of July was hindered by monsoon season with six of 10 days of play lost.

“Unfortunately we didn’t bat very well but I think ti was still poised, you never know how it would have panned out on day two or three,” he said when asked to surmise on the play that did take place in Bengaluru.

One does, however still get the impression that the momentum is with the hosts who will take their 1-0 lead into the next match in Nagpur beginning on Wednesday especially after they opted to bowl first and rattled the Proteas batting lineup.

“We’ve had a long layoff with these rained out days and I think everyones keen to get back on the park. We’ve got about five or six days before that happens but we’re looking forward tog getting to Nagpur and hopefully playing better cricket,” Amla said.

His opposite number, Virat Kohli, was confident that his side would be able to maintain their position with two Test matches remaining in the series.

“Nothing has really changed in the series as far as we’re concerned. We took the confidence from Mohali to Bangalore and we had a very positive day of play and we can only take the positives to Nagpur,” Kohli said.

“The team is in a great mood and the guys are ready for Nagpur. Hopefully we won’t have anymore interruptions and the guys can go out there and show their skills.”