India wins first test in series against SA
Ravindra Jadeja, on his return to test cricket, grabbed the headlines taking 5 wickets, as India cruised to victory against South Africa. The South Africans, chasing a target of 218 runs, were bowled out for 109 runs in 39.5 overs, as the match ended within three days at the stadium in Mohali. The next match in the four-match series will be held at Bengaluru.
The spin troika of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra took a mindblowing 19 wickets in the two-innings test-match against South Africa, marking the superiority of Indian spinners in the opening game of the India vs SA series.
India opened the first innings batting with Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay. Dhawan fell in the first over, as India finished the first over at 4/1. Murali Vijay got out at 75 runs, as India finished the 47th over at 140/6. Mishra was caught out on the 51st over when India was at 154/7. India, however, staggered to a 201 as the innings ended.
South Africa started its first innings with D. Elgar and van Zyl. India took its first wicket in the 7th over, with van Zyl declared out on LBW. In the 9th over, du Plessis fell to a Jadeja ball, as SA finished the over at 10/2. Ashwin then turned up the heat, and by the 67th over, India had bowled out SA at 184.
Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in 29 test matches, setting a new record, beating Anil Kumble and Erapalli Prasanna.
India started its second innings with a 17 run lead. However, Dhawan fell to a Philander ball in the 2nd over. India lost its second wicket in the 34th over, as M. Vijay was caught out. India was at 161/2 on the 55th over, but lost 8 wickets for 39 runs. India, ultimately, finished its second innings at 200 runs in 75.3 overs.
SA started its second innings with Elgar and Philander, but Jadeja took his first wicket in the 2nd over. Ashwin took another wicket in the 3rd over, as SA finished the over at 9/2. Jadeja bowled out Amla in the 4th over, and SA stood at 10/3. By the 36th over, SA stood at 102/7. SA was all-out at 109 by the 39th over.
Virat Kohli was overjoyed to win his first game at home as Test Captain, after losing the T20 series and the ODI series against the South African vistors.
