India sense win after Jadeja wrecks South Africa

KOLKATA, India :Ravindra Jadeja's four-wicket burst set India on course for a victory inside three days after a frenetic 15-wicket day in the low-scoring opening test against South Africa on Saturday.

India were in the box seat after bundling out South Africa for 159 at Eden Gardens where inconsistent bounce has been a bane for the shot-makers from both sides.

It was evident in India's reply too as they managed 189 to be left with a lead well short of their own expectations.

South Africa finished day two on 93 for seven - only 63 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.

Skipper Temba Bavuma led their fightback with 29 not out and with Corbin Bosch on one at the other end.

India were one batter short in the first innings after skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt with a neck spasm, having made four.

Bowling coach Morne Morkel was non-committal about Gill's chances of batting in the second innings.

"I think we first need to determine how he got the neck stiffness, maybe it's just a bad night's sleep," he said denying that it was the result of Gill's all-format workload.

"Shubman is a very fit guy. He looks after himself very well. So it was just unfortunate that he woke up with a stiff neck."

Off-spinner Simon Harmer (4-30) dragged South Africa back into the contest after India had resumed on their overnight score of 37 for one.

Washington Sundar (29) hit Keshav Maharaj for a six but could not carry on and was caught at slip off Harmer's bowling.

Gill opened his account with a four but immediately walked off the field rubbing his neck.

Returning from a foot injury that kept him out of the home series against West Indies, Rishabh Pant (27) had the South Africa players on their toes right after he walked in.

Pant was surprised by a leaping