Injured for most of the ODI series against South Africa, Ravichandran Ashwin seemed only too keen to compensate as he picked up five wickets in his comeback match for India at Mohali on day 2.
The Proteas, who started this morning on their overnight score of 28/2 were ultimately bowled out for 184, 17 runs shy of India’s target. In reply, India came out to bat once again and riding on Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbeaten 63, closed the day with a 142-run lead.
At the start of the innings, Shikhar Dhawan once again got out without disturbing the scorer but from there, Murali Vijay (47) and Pujara collaborated patiently to put together an 86-run stand for the second wicket.
Vijay’s 105-ball toil though was brought to a disappointing end by leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the final half-hour of play.
India were 125 for two at stumps with Cheteshwar Pujara (63) and Virat Kohli (11) at the crease. Pujara even blasted Imran Tahir for the first six of the match in the final over of the day.
The visitors felt the absence of pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who was rested for the session as a precautionary measure for his strained groin.
Earlier Ashwin’s 13th five-wicket haul trumped A B de Villiers’ gritty half-century as India dismissed South Africa for 184.
AB de Villiers struggled initially but made a 63 off 83 balls to top score for his side, who conceded a first-innings lead of 17.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, returning to the test arena for the first time in almost 15 months, took three wickets while leg-spinner Amit Mishra picked up the other two.
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