| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Chandigarh: India beat South Africa by 108 runs in the first test on Saturday as the home side took a 1-0 lead in the four-match series after wrapping up victory with more than two days to spare.
Chasing a victory target of 218 in a contest dominated by spin bowling, South Africa succumbed to their second successive batting collapse and were dismissed for just 109 with Stiaan van Zyl top-scoring on 36.
For India, who were bowled out for 200 in their second innings earlier in the day, spin duo Ravindra Jadeja (5-21) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3-39) shared eight wickets in a South African second innings that lasted less than 40 overs.
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.
The second test is in Bangalore and starts on Nov. 14.
Brief scores
India - 201 (Vijay 75, Elgar 4-22) and 201 (Pujara 77, Imran Tahir 4-48, Harmer 4-61)
South Africa - 184 (de Villiers 63, Aswhin 5-51, Jadeja 3-55) and 109 (Jadeja 5-21, Ashwin 3-39)
Result - India won by 108 runs
MOM - Ravindra Jadeja (India)
