Proteas can gain from big Bengaluru wet

South Africa haven't risen to the top of the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings without learning to overcome significant obstacles.

Their grittiness in the most inhospitable conditions means they have not lost a single away series since 2006, but this enviable record could now be under serious threat in India. 

Down 1-0 after losing the first Test in three days and bowled out for 214 on a decent first day track in the second Test, South Africa may have been feeling more than a touch of concern when the Indian openers returned to the dugout undefeated on 80 at stumps on day one. 

While some timely rain is likely to help their cause in Bengaluru – there was not a single ball bowled on days two and three thanks to the weather – the Proteas are still faced with significant hurdles after losing Vernon Philander for the series due to an ankle injury, while Dale Steyn was ruled out of the second Test after failing to recover from a groin concern.

Their current XI also lacks the experience of previous successful incarnations – the trio of Staan van Zyl, Dean Elgar and Dane Vilas have played a combined total of 26 Tests, Kagiso Rabada made his debut in Mohali and Kyle Abbott has just four caps to his name.

However, with two days left to play and a result unlikely – and two Tests still to come - South Africa coach Russell Domingo is remaining optimistic.

"There is no need for pressing the panic button," Domingo said after the first day in Bengaluru.

"We have Hashim and others who are in for big innings. We need to keep working hard and hopefully hard work will be rewarded at some stage."

The two-day rain delay will also have allowed Morne Morkel and JP Duminy, who both returned to the XI in Bengaluru after missing the first Test wit injuries, extra time to recover.

"We have an inexperienced side, except Amla, Elgar and AB. Seven-odd top players haven't played in India," Domingo said.

"Of course, they would have got the feel of the Indian pitches in the last couple of innings they batted in the series."

There’s good reason for Domingo to feel upbeat.

During the last Test series between the sides, South Africa were left with the onerous task of batting out 136 overs in Johannesburg to force a draw, after being set an improbable 458 by India.

The tourists looked the favourites to register an unexpected win but the Proteas’ grit and determination saw them come agonisingly close to a miraculous victory.

After centuries from AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, South Africa fell just eight runs short of a thrilling win as the match ended in a draw.

South Africa had been in that situation before, having battled through 148 overs at Adelaide Oval to hold out for a draw against Australia in 2012, after being set 430 to win the game. 

Du Plessis was also the hero on that occasion, battling through 376 deliveries to score one of the slowest - but most effective - Test centuries.

On both occasions, the psychological gains from the hard-earned draws seemed to help South Africa go on to win the next Test and then the series. 

That's the kind of bottle the South African Test side is made of.

They have been tested, put in a tough spot and yet managed to end up dominating.

If play does resume on any of the remaining days of the second Test, it will be interesting to see whether South Africa can gain some confidence heading into the third Test in Nagpur.

Because if they were able to do that, history shows a resurrection might not be too far away.