Veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets to put India in sight of victory on a manic day two of a low-scoring opening Test on Saturday.

South Africa were 93-7 at stumps to lead by 63 runs in their second innings on an Eden Gardens pitch that has made batting decidedly tricky.

Fifteen wickets fell during the second day and KL Rahul's 39 in India's first innings remains the highest individual score of the match.

Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma tried to replicate Rahul's obduracy, making an unbeaten 29. Corbin Bosch, on one, was with him when play was called off due to bad light.

Spinner Simon Harmer had dragged the visitors back into the contest with figures of 4-30 that helped bowl out India for 189 with the hosts taking a slender lead of 30.

Jadeja's 27 was key to India's first innings total and the 36-year-old all-rounder showed the other side of his game with some testing left-arm spin.

South Africa found themselves in a hole when Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja removed the openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram either side of the tea break.

Jadeja kept up the pressure as he struck twice in one over to send back Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi.

He had South Africa in more trouble when he spun the ball sharply to bowl Tristan Stubbs for five.

The biggest cloud on India's horizon was the absence of skipper Shubman Gill who retired hurt on four with a neck problem. He did not return to resume his innings and nor did he field, with vice-captain Pant leading the team.