NAGPUR: India need eight wickets to clinch the four-test series against South Africa after their spinners, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, wreaked havoc on a turning track on the second day of the third test on Thursday.

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• India set South Africa 310 to win after Tahir five-for

Shot out for 79 in their first innings earlier in the day, South Africa returned to chase a 310-run victory target on a manic day when 20 wickets tumbled on a fast-deteriorating surface at the VCA Stadium.

The tourists, who trail the four-test series 1-0, were 32-2 at stumps, having lost opener Stiaan van Zyl and nightwatchman Imran Tahir, and facing an embarrassing defeat inside three days.

Legspinner Amit Mishra dismissed Duminy, the top scorer for the touring side, who resumed the day on 11-2.

India, who won the opening test in Mohali before the second match was washed out due to rain in Bangalore, looked poised to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-test series after losing the preceding one-day international and Twenty20 series.