Dale Steyn illuminated the series against India with an explosive spell of 5-23 to help dismiss India for just 76 on the first day of the second Test, following a bore draw in Chennai.

Steyn, the world's number two-ranked bowler after an incredible last six months, claimed his eighth five-wicket in haul in Tests from his eight overs in Ahmedabad, while Makhaya Ntini took 3-18 and Morne Morkel 2-20 to set up a clear chance to take a lead in the three-match series.

South Africa reached 223-4 in reply at stumps with Jacques Kallis on 60 and AB de Villiers on 59.

Irfan Pathan top-scored for India, without the injured Sachin Tendulkar, with 21 not out and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the only other batsman to make double figures with 14 (extras were worth 19).

Although Steyn will take the majority of the plaudits for an incredible Proteas achievement, it was Ntini’s double-wicket strike of VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly – both bowled - within three deliveries in the eighth over that reduced India to 30-4 and crippled their innings. They never recovered from there.

Three of Steyn’s victims were also bowled, including the triple centurion from Chennai Virender Sehwag (for six), as well as former skipper Rahul Dravid (for three).

South Africa passed India’s total without losing a wicket, until Graeme Smith was trapped lbw by Sreesanth for 34 to make it 78-1. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh continued his good form after his eight wickets in Chennai to remove Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla to make it 101-3 and then had Ashwell Prince lbw to reduce the Proteas to 117-4 and bring the match nearer to parity, albeit still in the tourists’ advantage.

Kallis and de Villiers took on the challenge for South Africa in reply to try and put their team in a winning position in the match and set them up in a series that both teams are trying to prove themselves as Test cricket’s second-best team.