NAGPUR, India, (Reuters) – India need eight wickets to clinch the four-test series against South Africa after their spinners, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, wreaked havoc on a turning track on the second day of the third test yesterday.
Shot out for 79 in their first innings earlier in the day, South Africa returned to chase a 310-run victory target on a manic day when 20 wickets tumbled on a fast-deteriorating surface at the VCA Stadium.
The tourists, who trail the four-test series 1-0, were 32-2 at stumps, having lost opener Stiaan van Zyl and nightwatchman Imran Tahir, and facing an embarrassing defeat inside three days.
Dean Elgar (10) and captain Hashim Amla (three) were unbeaten at the crease.
Off-spinner Ashwin completed his 14th five-wicket haul in tests while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja bagged four as India,
