The on-field umpires called off the match after an inspection at 11.30 local time.
It is the first time in the history of Test cricket in India that four days have been completely washed out.
The last time a major part of a Test in India was washed out was almost a decade ago when play was held up for three days in a Test in Chennai between India and Sri Lanka.
Both teams will now travel to Nagpur for the penultimate and third game.
Though it only drizzled briefly on the fifth and final morning, overnight rain meant there could be no play.
Puddles had formed in a few uncovered areas near the edges of the ground at the Chinnaswami Stadium.
It is likely the umpires felt that patches of damp spots in some of the areas, caused by sweating under the covers, might not be safe for fielders.
Besides the super soppers, the groundstaffs also had in their disposal a machine called the Pro Core, but none could ensure resumption of play in South African batting mainstay A B de Villiers;’ 100th Test.
India were 80 for no loss in reply to South Africa’s first innings score of 214 on the opening day. Shikhar Dhawan (45) and Murali Vijay (28) were at the crease.
India skipper Virat Kohli said after the match, “The bowlers did a commendable job, bowling South Africa out in less than three sessions is something that’s very rare. A lot of people were surprised when we decided to field first. All credit to the bowlers, Bangalore is known for its runs, but our bowlers showed their character.
“It’s a pity that we lost four days when we were in such a strong position.
“Shikhar (Dhawan) is an impact players and he’s done the job in the past and it is great to have him back in form. Nothing has changed in the series, we took the confidence from Mohali to Bangalore and we had a good day’s play. The team is in great mood and hopefully we don’t have any interruptions anymore and execute their skills in Nagpur.”
Rival captain Hashim Amla said, “We’ve had about seven days of Tests in 20 in the last four Test matches. Very surprised we have lost four days of cricket here. I really didn’t think four days would be washed out.
“AB getting 80-odd in his 100th Test was a highlight and we are glad to share the moment with him. Unfortunately we didn’t bat very well, but it was still in the balance with the time left.”
Statistical highlights on day 1
# Virat Kohli won the toss and put the South Africans into bat. The last instance of such a happening in a Test at Bangalore was in November 1974 — vs West Indies. Since then 19 Tests had been played before the current one, and the captain winning the toss had batted first.
# Abraham de Villiers’ 38th fifty in Tests is his fourth vs India. In India, his record is quite impressive — his tally being 536 in eleven innings at an average of 53.60, including a hundred and three fifties.
# De Villiers became the third South African player to amass 1,000 runs or more vs India in Tests — his aggregate being 1029 (ave.42.87) in 15 matches, joining Jacques Kallis (1734 at an average of 69.36 in 18 matches and Hashim Amla (1257 at an average of 50.28 in 16 matches).
# In the present Indian tour, de Villiers has managed 741 runs at an average of 67.36 in eleven matches.
# Ravindra Jadeja has captured 18 wickets (ave.15.55) in only three Tests vs South Africa.
# Shikhar Dhawan’s 45 not out is his highest score in seven innings vs South Africa in Tests.
# Despite two ducks (PAIR) in the previous Test, Dhawan is averaging 57.60 in Tests in India — his tally being 288 in six innings, including a hundred — 187 vs Australia at Mohali in March 2013.
# Ravindra Jadeja has captured 51 wickets in only 13 first-class innings, emulating the most he has taken in a first—class season. He had captured 51 wickets at an average of 20.35 in ten matches in 2012-13
# South African team is without their star bowler Dale Steyn — the last occasion when he had missed a Test was against England in the Centurion Test in December 2009. Before the present Test, he had appeared in 48 Tests in succession for South Africa.
# Hashim Amla is averaging 16.66 in the present series vs India. When the South Africans had visited India last time in 2009-10, he had averaged 490.00 — his aggregate being 490 in three innings, including three centuries.
# After posting a 283-run partnership by Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay vs Bangladesh at Fatullah in June 2015, the unbroken partnership of 80 between Vijay and Dhawan is India’s first fifty—plus stand for the opening wicket in nine innings.
# India’s opening pairs had collected 14, 12, 4, 3, 2 & 0 vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and 0 & 9 vs South Africa in their previous eight outings.
