Nagpur: A total 12-wicket haul by R Ashwin helped India beat South Africa by 124 runs in the third Test at Nagpur to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Speaking about the win, man-of-the-match R Ashwin said that the wicket slowed up a bit. “There was help in the wicket but the way Faf and Amla played, we had to put some good balls. One team was trying to fight, while the other was trying to win,” said Ashwin, adding that the batsmen go out to make 100s, while he go out to get five-fors.

In praise for Amit Mishra, Ashwin said, “Amit bowled a wonderful spell after lunch. We prized out a couple of wickets in that post-lunch session. Anybody who goes out there and trusts his defence can play well.”

Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that he was very pleasing to have won the Test series. “Some good cricket in Mohali, Bangalore and here. It feels very good. We played some good cricket.”

Praising Ashiwn, Kohli said that he was a world-class spinner. “He stepped up in a big way for us. Maybe he is best in the world at the moment. We expected them to string in a partnership or two. This is what Test cricket is. We need patience with the ball and believing a chance will come. Mishra showed great character in that period,” said Kohli.

“I think it was a challenging wicket, the batsmen applied better in Mohali. It is all about application. There are no sorts of excuses on that. Our batsmen showed character in three innings. Sometimes you have conditions where it is going to be bowler-friendly. Spinners have had an upper hand in the series. Sealing the series was very important. Delhi will be an opportunity for us to be more consistent,” Kohli added.