Stats: Nagpur Test, Day 2 - South Africa's lowest total since return while Indian spinners continue their dream series
79 - The first innings total for South Africa in this match - which is their lowest since their return to International Cricket in 1992 and lowest against India in Tests, beating their previous worst of 84 at Johannesburg in 2006. It is also the lowest total for a team in India beating Sri Lanka’s 82 in 1990-91.
2 - Number of bowlers to average better than Ravichandran Ashwin in Asia (min 100 wickets). Ashwin has a bowling average of 21.37 in Asia which is third to Imran Khan’s 20.28 and Wasim Akram’s 20.64.
139 - Wickets Ashwin has taken in his 22 Test in Asia, conveniently the most in 22 Tests in Asia for any bowler, with Waqar Younis’ 130 is second on the list.
39 - Number of wickets Indian spinners have taken so far in this series in 5 innings. Fast bowlers have taken only 2, both of which are accredited to Varun Aaron. In this match, all 12 South African dismissals are taken by Indian Spinners. In a 4-match series, record wickets taken by Indian spinners are 65 and 60 - both of which have come in Border-Gavaskar series in India, which is a little difficult to be beaten since one innings have been washed out.
605 - Runs collected by the opening stand of South Africa since 1st January 2014, the lowest for any team excluding Zimbabwe (which has played only 8 games). The Proteas average during this period is 27.50 which is also the least among all Test playing nations (excluding Zimbabwe). During this period, South Africa has not had a single 100 plus opening stand.
9 - Four-wicket hauls Ashwin has taken in Tests this year, the most for any bowler, followed by Yasir Shah's 7, Dhamikka Prasad and Herath (5 each). Ashwin has also taken 5 five wicket hauls during this period, which is also the most for any bowler.
49 - Wickets taken by Ashwin this year, 2nd joint most for any bowler in 2015, after Stuart Broad's 51, and with Yasir Shah's 49. However, Ashwin is bowling in his 15th innings, while Broad has taken 25 innings for his 51 wickets.
20 - Number of players in 2015 to have taken 20 or more wickets in Tests - Amit Mishra became the 20th player to do so this year.
14.90 - Amit Mishra’s bowling average in this year, best among the bowlers who have taken at least 20 wickets, with Ashwin on 2nd spot (18.89). His Strike Rate of 30.9 is also best in this year with Ashwin following him at 35.5
113 - Years since South Africa lost first 5 or more wickets for fewer than 15 runs. It was a Test in 1902 when South Africa were 14-5 and eventually scored 85, against Australia at Cape Town. Interestingly, the match was played in November, and South Africa were bowled out in 33.2 overs. In this match, they were dismissed in 33.1 overs.
3 - Number of instances when first five wickets of any team have fallen for fewer than 12 runs in a test innings. India 6-5, Australia 7-5 and 11-5 are those three instances- all of which came against England and in England.