Cheteshwar Pujara's first century on foreign soil ensured India were strong favourites to end their woeful recent away record after dominating the third day of the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers.
After quickly wrapping up the Proteas tail in the morning session, the tourists reached the close on 284 for two and with a substantial lead of 320 runs.
India have lost their previous eight away Tests, but will resume tomorrow firmly in control with Pujara 135 not out and Virat Kohli unbeaten on 77 after a 191-run stand.
Pujara, recently named ICC emerging cricketer of the year, followed Kohli's first-innings century with his sixth Test ton.
To add to South Africa's woes they will be unable to call on quick Morne Morkel to bowl for the rest of the match after he turned his ankle in the outfield shortly before lunch.
The Proteas' attack was left severely short-handed in his absence, at one point AB de Villiers gave up the wicketkeepeing gloves to bowl the most gentle of overs, while Imran Tahir's first-innings struggles continued.
The leg-spinner's 11 overs cost 55 without success while he dropped a simple return catch from Pujara in the evening session when the right-hander was on 51.
With few other options to turn to, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith was unable to make use of any demons the wicket had promised when his side's last four wickets lasted just 9.3 overs in the morning session.
Vernon Philander managed to reach a half-century but, like overnight partner Francois du Plessis, fell to Zaheer Khan, who prised out three wickets in the early collapse to finish with 4-88. Ishant Sharma, who took 4-79, accounted for the other.
Philander had quickly removed Shikhar Dhawan via an edge to Jacques Kallis to provide early hope for the hosts and his 100th Test wicket.
Kallis then had Murali Vijay strangled down the leg side, but not before his 39 had helped build the lead to over 100.
Pujara and Kohli then took over as they suffocated the life out of South Africa's under-manned attack.