Ashwin and Pujara put India in command

Pujara is batting on 63

Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-wicket haul and Cheteshwar Pujara’s fifty helped-India comeback in the first Test match against South Africa at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. After getting the Proteas all out for just 184, India stand strong with a lead of 142 runs and on 114 for 2 on board in the second innings.

South Africa had a brilliant first hour where they scored 49 runs for the loss of no wicket at the start of day two. Indian pacer Umesh Yadav looked inconsistent but Mishra was troubling the visitors.

Ashwin got the first break through of the day when Dean Elgar was dismissed after scoring 37 runs. The consistent Ashwin didn't stop there as he continued to give a hard time to the Proteas batsmen.

Amla was the next one to go as he failed to capitalise on the 43 runs he had made. He was beaten by Ashwin's delivery and got stumped by keeper Wriddhiman Saha.

AB de Villiers, who was struggling at the start, registered his 37th half-century off 63 balls. Wickets kept falling on the other end as the spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra were doing all the damage one by one.

De Villiers was castled by Mishra's quick delivery after scoring 63 runs off 83 balls. He did everything he could to keep the South Africans going, but didn't get any support. South Africa were bowled out for 184 against India's 201 in the first innings.

Gr8 effort from the Ind spin trio this morning ðÂ?Â?Imp for the batsmen 2 play with a positive mindset&take a sizeable lead. #IndvsSA @BCCI

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 6, 2015

Dhawan failed again in the match as he made a pair after getting out without scoring. India’s first innings highest-scorer Murali Vijay played a composed innings where he made 47 and he was well supported by Pujara’s classical batting.

After Vijay’s wicket, Pujara carried India’s torch to end day two with 125 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets. Skipper Virat Kohli was playing at the other end with an unbeaten 11 runs in his pocket.

Brief scores:

India 201 & 125/2 (40.0 overs)South Africa 184India lead by 142 runs with 8 wickets remaining