On the expected lines, the dusty Mohali track turned out to be the decisive factor in the first Test as South Africa succumbed for 109 in their second innings on Saturday to lose the match by 108 runs inside three days.After Ravichandran Ashwin turned the tables in the first innings, it was Ravindra Jadeja’s turn to be South Africa’s headache in the second. The comeback man rounded off a successful return on a memorable note, taking 5 for 21.Jadeja, who is known to bowl well in the second innings of matches on such pitches, finished with his third five-for in Tests. He took eight wickets in the match, as did Ashwin, who had a five-for in the first innings.Ashwin (3 for 39), Amit Mishra (1 for 26) and Varun Aaron (1 for 3) were the other wicket-takers in the SA second innings that lasted just 39.5 overs.South Africa’s quest of winning in all three formats on their marathon 72-day tour suffered a setback and it will be difficult for the visitors to bounce back especially since other venues may also be made to suit India’s spin strength.The visiting side had prevailed 2-0 in a preceding three-game Twenty20 series and 3-2 in a five-match one-day international series to raise hopes of their first Test series win on Indian soil in 15 years.South Africa, who had conceded a 17-run first innings lead, failed to come to grips with the conditions and the result had seemed obvious in less than a session. The South African batsmen were rattled with the ball turning viciously and also keeping low on the odd occasion.South Africa’s premier batsmen could not apply themselves. Faf du Plessis edged a delivery from Ashwin to slip, captain Hashim Amla was bowled not offering a shot to a straight delivery from Jadeja and AB de Villiers was castled with an Mishra delivery that kept low.Left-handed opener Dean Elgar was the first wicket for an Indian fast bowler in the match as he top-edged a delivery from Varun Aaron and was caught at mid-on. South Africa were 45 for 5 in the 17th over at the fall of Elgar’s wicket with the result looking quite evident.But the victory for India came after a little scare when the hosts were bundled out for 200 in the morning after being 162 for 2 at one stage. Legspinner Imran Tahir finished with 4 for 48 and offspinner Simon Harmer with 4 for 61 as India lost its last eight wickets for 39 runs.
