Steyn stars on good day for Proteas

Dale Steyn took five for 23 as India were skittled out for 76, allowing South Africa to take control on the opening day of the second Test in Ahmedabad in which 14 wickets fell.

The Proteas needed just 20 overs before lunch to polish off India, who made their second-lowest total on home soil after electing to bat.

Harbhajan Singh gave India a glimmer of hope with three quick wickets either side of tea to peg back a strong South Africa response, but half-centuries from Jacques Kallis (60 not out) and AB De Villiers (59 not out) saw the Proteas reach 223 for four at the close of play, a lead of 147.

Wasim Jaffer edged to slip on three off Makhaya Ntini in the fourth over, before Virender Sehwag, who in the first Test hit the highest ever score by an Indian batsman with 319, was bowled by Steyn off an inside edge for six.

Ntini, who claimed three for 18, then bowled VVS Laxman for three, and in the same over Sourav Ganguly played-on for a duck.

Steyn found the off-stump of Rahul Dravid (3), before Morne Morkel (two for 20) had Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught behind for 14 and bowled Anil Kumble two balls later for nought.

Steyn, 24, then mopped-up the tail, trapping Harbhajan Singh lbw for one, while RP Singh and Sreesanth failed to score.

Irfan Pathan, named in place of injured batsman Sachin Tendulkar, top scored for the hosts with 21 not out, though 19 extras were also conceded.

Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put on a quickfire 78 in response but Smith was trapped lbw for 34 by Sreesanth in the 16th over.

Harbhajan then took control as he removed McKenzie (42), Hashim Amla (16) Ashwell Prince (two) before Kallis and De Villiers steadied the ship, each reaching a half-century late in the day's play.