JP Duminy didn't have to wait long to get into the action as the coach was seen making a desperate dive to save the ball in the first delivery of the 50th over.
Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla forged a dogged resistance, but scoring runs was always a task as the duo's stand clearly showed - 72 runs in 46.2 overs. And once Amit Mishra removed both the set batsmen for 39 each, it was a backward counting to the end of South AFrica's nine-year unbeaten streak in away Test series.
The hosts have taken a crucial 136-run first innings lead as South Africa posted their lowest total against India in Test cricket. Brief Scores: India 1st innings: 215 all out in 78.2 overs.(M Vijay 40, R Jadeja 34; M Morkel 3/35, S Harmer 3/78).
After R Ashwin 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.
With the Mohali surface expected to provide significant assistance to spinners, India captain Virat Kohli was pleased to win the toss and said they would look to capitalise on what he felt would be the best day for batting during the match.