The new opening duo hit India's first century stand of the series

"It's not what we were looking for," he admitted, "But I'm not sure it's going to deteriorate too much."

"India haven't got away from us and we hope to strike early with the new ball.

"We'd like to bowl them out for about 380 but our first innings with the bat will be crucial. We'll go all out for a win, we'll not hang around for a draw."

Arthur compared the surface with the one used for a high-scoring draw against New Zealand in May 2006.

The Kiwis posted 593-8 declared then, with Stephen Fleming making 262, while South Africa replied with 512.

I am really thankful the management have stuck by me and given me the chance to play this kind of innings Wasim Jaffer

"That pitch turned more on day one than it did in the rest of the match," Arthur recalled.

Meanwhile, India centurion Wasim Jaffer was also somewhat bemused by the wicket for the deciding match of the series.

"It's already turning, there are rough patches and it's got a look like an Indian wicket," said the 28-year-old, who recorded his third Test ton.

"When we saw it we were a bit surprised to see a wicket like that in South Africa."

After opening partnerships of 14-20-5-14, India elected to move Virender Sehwag down the order, pairing Jaffer with reserve wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik at the top of the innings.

Jaffer revealed he had built a good rapport with Karthik and said: "We are pretty good friends, we have sat next to each other on the bus for the whole tour so I know him as a person."

He admitted it was a key performance given single figure scores in the first Test and two knocks in the 20s at Durban.

"I have not scored enough runs on the tour, and I am really thankful the management have stuck by me and given me the chance to play this kind of innings, because I was definitely under pressure."