Maharaj also said that the Pune wicket is deteriorating and it is getting difficult to score runs.
The 28-year-old's rich vein of form continued as he looked in complete command for his 108 off 195 balls, having made a sublime 215 in the series opener in Visakhapatnam last week.
South Africa, who had to negotiate nine overs, were 11/1 at stumps on day four, with the first-innings centurion Dean Elgar back in the pavilion.
Philander was an important part of the Proteas pace troika comprising Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, both of whom have retired from longer formats.
Rohit, who got to his fifty before lunch, shifted gears and was particularly harsh on the spinners.
Philander made a strong start to the series taking two wickets and scoring 48 runs during the drawn three-day warm-up game against Board President’s XI.
Gibson spoke about how a hamstring injury to Vernon Philander gives South Africa the option to get Mulder in.
With Philander out of the Proteas’ ICC World Cup 2019 plans, his injury may not see him wear ODI colours till October's three-Test tour to India.
Kusal Perera hit his second half-century of the match to keep Sri Lanka‘s hopes alive on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday. Perera made 56 not out as Sri Lanka reached 166 for five at lunch, 138 runs short of a victory target of 304. (FULL SCORECARD: 1st TEST) Dale...
Sri Lanka, needing 304 to win, were 83 for three at the close, 221 runs short of their target.