By Sam Lyon

De Villiers was in imperious form as he struck his highest ever score in Tests

AB de Villiers became the first South African to score a double century against India as the Proteas took total charge of the second Test in Ahmedabad.

Resuming on 223-4, already 147 runs ahead, De Villiers and Jacques Kallis piled on the runs on a flat surface.

Kallis struck 14 fours and a six in his 132, putting on 256 with De Villiers before he was bowled by Sree Santh.

De Villiers was 217 not out, firing 17 fours and two sixes, as he led the tourists to 494-7 by stumps, 418 ahead.

It was an imperious knock from the number six batsman, his highest score in Test matches, and only late-evening rain prevented him from going on as South Africa piled the pressure on the hosts.

Rain may be India's best chance of saving the Test now, although with sun forecast on Saturday and Sunday that may prove a forlorn hope.

After their disastrous first-innings effort, the hosts began the second day knowing early wickets were a must if they were to give themselves a chance of taking a lead in the three-match series.

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Kallis, the more patient of the two, struck 14 fours and a six as his and de Villiers's 80-over stand effectively put India out of the game.

The number four's 275-ball stay - and 30th Test century - came to an end when he inside-edged a Santh away-swinger onto his own stumps attempting to leave the ball, but the damage had been done.

Mark Boucher and Morne Morkel came and went, lbw to Kumble and Harbhajan respectively, and it looked like De Villiers may be left stranded.

However, Paul Harris provided able support, scoring nine not out, and, having struck a massive six on the slog-sweep off Harbhajan, De Villiers brought up the first double century of his first-class career with a four off the same bowler through the covers from 320 balls.

He and Harris struck out late on, possibly with an eye to a declaration and a few overs at India's openers late in the day, but a thunderstorm prematurely ended play.