Dean Elgar's Part-Time Spin Spells India's Doom in Mohali Test

Part-time spinner Dean Elgar ripped through India's batting line-up with four wickets as South Africa made the hosts rue their decision to bat first on the opening day of the first test on Thursday. (Highlights | Scorecard)

India captain Virat Kohli said he felt Thursday would be the best day for batting on the spin friendly Mohali track but his side failed to capitalise as they got all out at 201 to make it an unhappy 26th birthday for the skipper.

Paceman Vernon Philander sent back opener Shikhar Dhawan (0) before India had even got on the scoreboard when he edged one to South Africa captain Hashim Amla at slip in the second over of the day.

India recovered from the early jolt through a second-wicket stand of 63 between Murali Vijay (75) and Cheteshwar Pujara (31), forcing Amla to make a bowling change with Elgar.

The left-armer, who had never taken more than one wicket in an innings before, made an immediate impact by dismissing Pujara leg before with his fourth delivery.

The dismissal brought Kohli to the crease but debutant fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, 20, made it a birthday to forget for the batsman when he had him caught at short cover off a leading edge for his first wicket in Tests.

Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane (15) added 37 for the fourth wicket to give India hopes of a fightback before the latter became Elgar's second victim.

Elgar returned in his next over to dismiss wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha for a first ball duck before Ravindra Jadeja saw off the hat-trick delivery.

Vijay looked the most comfortable among the Indian batsmen at the crease and brought up his 12th fifty in tests before getting out lbw to off-spinner Simon Harmer while attempting a sweep shot.

Amit Mishra (six) fell to Elgar after an injudicious attacking shot and India would have been in more trouble had Rabada not overstepped when he had Ravichandran Ashwin (four not out) given out lbw before tea.

Replays confirmed the paceman had bowled a no-ball, reprieving Ashwin.

After tea, Philander trapped Jadeja (38) plumb in front of the wicket and then Imran Tahir polished the Indian tail.

South Africa are missing all-rounder JP Duminy and fast bowler Morne Morkel after both picked up injuries during the one-day series, which the visitors won 3-2.

India went with three slow bowlers for the match, with left-arm spinner Jadeja returning to the side after an absence of almost 15 months.