IND vs SA: 5 Most Memorable Tests In South Africa

Team India is all set to play the three-match Test series against South Africa, beginning on 26^th December 2021. The last time when India travelled to South Africa for a Test series in 2018, they lost it by 2-1. For those of you who don’t know India have never won a Test series against South Africa in South Africa. India have travelled to South Africa for a Test series on 7 occasions. They are yet to come back with a series win.

Overall, the two teams have played 39 Tests against each other, with India winning on 14 occasions. South Africa, on the other hand, have beaten India 15 times in the longest format of the game. Also, India have played a total of 20 Tests in South Africa. India won only on 3 occasions, while South Africa have beaten India 10 times.

Ahead of the three-match Test series, India would look to win at least two matches out of three and thereby win the series. In this article, let’s take a look at the five most memorable Test matches between India and South Africa played in South Africa.

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IND vs SA: 5 Most Memorable Tests In South Africa

India’s tour of South Africa 2006-07, First Test- India won 123 runs

India created history on the tour of South Africa in 2006-07 as they registered their first-ever Test match win in South Africa. India won the first Test of the three-match series by 123 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. India won the toss and batted first in that match.

Despite getting a poor start, India managed to score 249 runs in the first innings. Middle-order batsmen, Rahul Dravid (32), Sachin Tendulkar (44), Sourav Ganguly (51) all made vital contributions with the bat. South Africa, in reply, were bundled out for a paltry 84-run total, thanks to a sensational spell from S Sreesanth. He took five wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs. Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble claimed two wickets each.

Riding on VVS Laxman’s 73 off 154, India managed to score 236 runs in their second innings and thereby set a target of 402 runs. Ashwell Prince was the only batsman who looked good as he scored 97 runs of 223 balls. Pollock too scored 40 off 41 but, in the end, South Africa were bundled out for 278 runs, thereby lost the game by a big margin of 123 runs.

India’s tour of South Africa 2010-11, 2nd Test- India won by 87 runs

India won their second Test in South Africa during the 2010-11 tour to South Africa. After losing the first Test of the series, India needed to win the next test to stay alive in the series. Crucial cameos from the batsmen in the top seven helped the team post a 205-run total in the first innings. The bowlers then bowled exceedingly well to bundle out South Africa for just 131 runs in the second innings. Zaheer Khan got rid of both the openers and also picked the crucial wicket of A Prince. Later, Harbhajan Singh removed the tail to keep India in commend.

It was VVS Laxman who stood tall during India’s second innings. VVS Laxman stayed firm at one end while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. He made 96 runs off 171 balls and helped the team post 228 runs and set a target of 302 runs. South Africa, in pursuit of the total, were bundled out for 215 runs, thereby losing the game by 87 runs. Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan ran through South Africa’s batting line-up as both picked three wickets each.

India’s tour of South Africa 2017-18, 3rd Test- India won by 63 runs

The Virat Kohli-led team fought hard during India’s 2017-18 tour of South Africa. Despite playing well in the first two Tests, they lost both of them. However, India won the third Test by 63 runs to earn their third win in South Africa in the Test history.

India got bundled out for just 187 runs in the first innings, despite vital half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. On the fast and seaming surfaces of South Africa, it wasn’t easy for proteas to bat as well.

Jasprit Bumrah made their life difficult as he picked 5 for 54. South Africa, as a result, were bowled out for 194 runs in the second innings. Virat Kohli (41 off 79) and Ajinkya Rahane (48 off 68) vital contributions took India to 247 in their second innings to set South Africa a target of 241 runs.

It was Mohammed Shami’s turn to pick a five-for. Shami took only 1 wicket out of the top 6 but picked 4 out of the last five batsmen. Bumrah and Ishant picked two wickets each to help South Africa bundled out for 177 in the final innings. India won the first and final Test of the series by 63 runs.

India’s tour of South Africa 1992, 3rd Test- India lost by 9 wickets

India toured South Africa for a Test series for the first time in 1992. Both the teams fought hard as three out of the four Tests resulted in draws. The third Test of the series, however, was won by South Africa. South Africa had won the toss and asked India to bat first.

Indian skipper, Mohammad Azharuddin played a brilliant knock of 60 off 88 but there was little support from the other end. As a result, India were bundled out for 212 runs in the first innings. India too bowled pretty well but Hansie Cronje’s 135 kept South Africa in commend. Anil Kumble and Venkatapathy Raju picked three wickets each, helping India bundle out South Africa for 275 runs in the second innings.

India, once again, looked clueless against a lethal South African bowling unit. All the top six batsmen went back to the hut on single-digit scores. Kapil Dev, however, played a sensational 129-run knock while batting lower down the order to guide South Africa to 215 in India’s second innings.

India gave a small 153-run target to chase down. It was never going to be enough as the Proteas chased down the score with 9 wickets in hand. Nevertheless, the match will also be remembered for the sensational knock under pressure from Kapil Dev.

India’s tour of South Africa 1997, 2nd Test- India lost by 282 runs

After losing the first Test of the 1997 tour of South Africa, India lost the series after losing the second game as well. However, the second Test is also remembered for the epic partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and M Azharuddin in the second innings. South Africa batted first in that Test and posted a gigantic score of 529 runs in the first innings.

India needed to bat their skins out to remain alive in the Test. They made the worst possible start, having reduced to 58 for 5. Azharuddin then walked out to bat along with Sachin Tendulkar. The duo piled on an outstanding 222-run partnership in just 40 overs. Sachin Tendulkar went on to score 169 off 254 balls, while M Azharuddin amassed 115 off 110 deliveries. Despite that, India lost that Test by a huge margin of 282 runs.