MOHALI, India — South Africa's fourth-innings run chase against India quickly became a torment on a turning pitch as the Proteas slumped to 56-5 at tea on day three Saturday, pursuing a target of 218 to win the first test.
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin justified captain Virat Kohli's decision to start the innings with slow bowling.
South Africa's bid to get some quick runs by sending Vernon Philander in as an opener did not work, and the tourists also lost key batsmen Faf du Plessis, captain Hashim Amla and A.B. de Villiers.
Earlier, South Africa's spinners also dominated as India was bowled out for 200 after resuming at 125-2.
Imran Tahir and Simon Harmer took four wickets each as India lost its last eight wickets for just 39 runs.