Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-for bundles up South Africa for 184; India take 17-run lead on Day 2 of 1st Test at Mohali

Ravichandran Ashwin claimed five wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 184 in their first innings of the opening Test at Mohali, on Day Two. The tourists resumed their innings at 28 for two on the second day, and stumbled to 127 for five by the stroke of lunch. India took their time in bowling out the South Africans, but did well to secure a slender lead by 17 runs. Ashwin shone with a five-wicket haul on his return to international cricket after brief injury lay off, and registered his 13th five-for in Test cricket. The match is being played at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 015, 1st Test, Day 1 at Mohali here

The only bright spot for South Africa was a fighting knock of 63 by AB de Villiers, and a crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket between Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla. Apart from these three batsmen, South Africa struggled in general as they could not stand a chance against the Indian spinners.

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De Villiers brought up his 48th half-century in Test cricket but with luck on his side. He got a lifeline when Ravindra Jadeja had overstepped the crease, getting the right-hander caught when he was on naught.  Earlier at lunch, South Africa stumbled to 127 for five. Ravichandran Ashwin bagged four wickets and Ravindra Jadeja provided very strong support from the other end.

At lunch, South Africa were trailing by 74 runs with their last recognised batsman AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander at the crease. Ashwin and Jadeja displayed what impact and damage they can cause in favourable conditions, despite being introduced late into the attack on the second day by the Indian captain Virat Kohli.  Live Cricket Blog & Updates India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test at Mohali, Day 2

Brief scores:

India 201 (Murali Vijay 75, Cheteshwar Pujara 31, Ravindra Jadeja 38; Dean Elgar 4 for 22, Imran Tahir 2 for 23) lead South Africa 184 (Dean Elgar 37, Hashim Amla 43, Ab de Villiers 63; Ravichandran Ashwin 5 for 51, Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 55, Amit Mishra 2 for 35) by 17 runs.

Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 015, 1st Test at Mohali

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