Five-Star Jadeja scripts India's 108-run win against South Africa
Indian spinners led the team from the front to defeat the South Africans by 108 runs in the first Test match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The hosts now lead the four-match Test series by a 1-0 margin.
After putting a promising performance with the ball in the morning and getting India bowled out for 200, the Proteas failed to chase the 218-run target.
India started the day with a lead of 142 runs and 8 wickets in hand. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were at the crease and looked settled on a turning Mohali pitch.
It was a good start, at least during the first hour as India were ticking along and the lead was getting bigger. Part-timer Stiaan van Zyl got the first break through of the day as Kohli edged his straightish delivery to Dane Vilas. The Indian skipper made 29 runs off 71 balls.
What followed next was the same old story as India’s collapse started with heaps of wickets falling. Pujara got out after scoring 77 off Imran Tahir's first ball of the day. Ajinkya Rahane couldn't stay long as Simon Harmer’s off break delivery castled him.
From a comfortable 161/2, India slipped to a precarious 185/8. And the Proteas soon finished off the proceedings as they bowled out India for 200. The hosts lost their last 8 wickets for just 39 runs and South Africa were given a target of 218.
The track was helping the bowlers and that was evident to everyone now. 218 as target didn't look bad at all on this pitch. It was a dream start for the comeback man Ravindra Jadeja who trapped the surprise opener Vernon Philander plumb in front of the wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin got Faf du Plessis and Jadeja soon sent Hashim Amla back for a duck. South Africa were three down with just 10 runs on the board.
Amit Mishra got the big wicket of the danger man AB de Villiers. This was the second time in the match he got De Villiers bowled now. Jadeja and Ashwin were unplayable and soon the wrapped up the visitors innings on 109 runs.
Jadeja damaged the South African line-up the most as he picked up 5 wickets in the second innings. India are up 1-0 in the series against the World number one team and the next match will be played in Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Brief scores:
India 201 & 200
South Africa 184 & 109/10 (39.5 overs)