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The Roar

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India beats top-ranked South Africa in three days

Hashim Amla made an error, and then corrected it. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
7th November, 2015
51

India have defeated South Africa by 108 runs in the first Test on a turning Mohali dustbowl, with more than two days to spare.

When India was dismissed for 201 in the first innings, the no. 1 ranked South Africans looked set to vanquish the home side.

As it turned out, this was the highest innings total in a match dominated by spinners.

To India’s 201 – opening batsman Murali Vijay top scoring with 75 – South Africa replied with 184, to trail by 17 runs. Apart from a gritty 63 by AB de Villiers, others fumbled to Ravichandran Ashwin’s off-breaks as he grabbed 5-51.

The spinning track did not seem to worry the Indian batsmen Vijay (47), Cheteshwar Pujara (77) and skipper Virat Kohli (29) in the second innings, and they were 2-161 at one stage.

But then off-spinner Simon Harmer (4-61) and leg-spinner Imran Tahir (4-48) struck crippling blows, and India lost 8-39 to be dismissed for 200, leaving the Proteas needing 218 to win in two-and-a-half days.

Surprisingly, skipper Hashim Amla sent in tail-ender Vernon Philander to open their batting, who lasted only two for a single run, and the collapse started.

At one stage South Africa were 6-60, as master batsmen Amla and de Villiers were bowled without offering a shot – they expected big turns but the balls went straight, knocking their stumps down.

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Mostly left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja turned the ball menacingly and South Africa was shot out for 109 to lose by 108 runs.

For his 38 runs in the first innings and grabbing 3-55 and 5-21, Jadeja was named man of the match.

India leads the four Test series 1-0, but the hope is that India prepare a better pitch in the subsequent Tests, to give batsmen and fast bowlers equal opportunities to excel.

In Mohali it was spin, spin and more spin.

Like other cricket-lovers I have been switching television channels the last three days to watch the Brisbane and Mohali Tests – and what a contrast!

In the first three days in Brisbane, 1137 runs were amassed for the loss of 18 wickets. This works out at 63.17 runs per batsman. We applauded five centuries.

In three days in Mohali, only 694 runs were scored for the loss of 40 wickets at only 17.35 runs per batsman. No century here, with a top score of 77.

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Roarers, which of these two Tests did you find more exciting?

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