India gave themselves the chance they desired to square the Test series against South Africa in Kanpur by bowling the tourists out for just 265, after a difficult start.

South Africa were 152-1 at one stage and looked set to amass at least 350 that would have made their position in the series – leading 1-0 after an innings win in Ahmedabad – much more secure.

However, once skipper Graeme Smith departed for a top score 69, the Proteas capitulated, steadily losing wickets after the crucial double loss of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis within nine balls of one another.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (pictured) claimed 3-52 from 31 overs and seemed to relish his newfound status as India’s number one spinner, with captain and leg-spinner Anil Kumble absent with a groin injury. Young fast bowler Ishant Sharma also continued his sudden rise to fame with 3-55.

Smith would have been confident about reaching his 15th Test century until he fell to part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh, caught at bat-pad by a diving Wasim Jaffer. Having batted for over three hours the captain and powerful left-hander will have been livid with his dismissal, and more so after the subsequent collapse.