The first Test between India and South Africa starts tomorrow at Centurion.
In Centurion …
The Indian cricket team led by Virat Kohli, who is touring South Africa, is playing in a three-match Test series. The first Test between India and South Africa starts tomorrow (Sunday) at Centurion. The only place where the Indian team has not won a Test series so far is South Africa, known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’.
Bouncing Bitch …
The pitches here are conducive to high-speed bounce. It is not an easy task for batsmen to attack and play because the ball bounces well. Will the Virat Kohli-led Indian team, which has won the Test series on Australian and English soil, make an impact in South Africa as well? The expectation of has developed.
8th time …
This is the 8th time that the Indian team has traveled to South Africa to participate in a Test series. Here is a detailed analysis of how the Indian team has performed so far:
1992-93 …
Test 4 results (South Africa win 1-0)
South Africa was banned from playing international cricket from 1970 to 1991 due to racism. India were the first team to travel to South Africa after the ban was lifted. This was the first tour of the Indian team to South Africa. The Indian team led by Mohammad Azharuddin saw a draw in 3 Tests.
South Africa chased down India’s target of 153 in 51.1 overs in the Test at Port Elizabeth by 9 wickets. The series also won by 10 runs.
1996-97 …
Test 3 results (South Africa win 2-0)
This time the Indian team was led by Sachin Tendulkar. Hansie Cronje captained South Africa. In the first Test at Durban, India were bowled out for 100 and 66 by Shaun Pollock’s Alan Donald (14 wickets in total). South Africa easily won the 2nd Test in Cape Town.
But in the 3rd Test in Johannesburg, Rahul Dravid’s ‘maiden’ century (148) and his fifty in the 2nd innings (81) set the target for the Indian team to 356 runs. South Africa were 228 for 8 in the second innings when the draw came. India would have won this Test if it had not been for the rain on the last day.
2001 …
End (South Africa 1-0)
The journey of the Indian team led by Saurav Ganguly was also overshadowed by tragedy. Sachin Tendulkar (155) and debutant Sehwag (105) scored centuries in the first Test at Bloemfontein to help India reach 379 in the first innings before South Africa piled up 563 runs.
India were all out for 237 in the 2nd innings. Following this, South Africa easily took the target of 54 and won by 9 wickets. The 2nd Test in Port Elizabeth ended in a draw. But the problem erupted during the 2nd Test. Sachin Tendulkar has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee and banned from playing in a Test match by match referee Mike Tennessee (England) for allegedly exploiting and damaging the ball with a nail. South Africa won the last Test by an innings but went to no avail. The ban on Tendulkar was later lifted at the trial.
2006-07 …
Test 3 – Results (South Africa 2-1)
The Indian team led by Rahul Dravid made history by defeating South Africa by 123 runs in the first Test in Johannesburg. Sreesanth took 8 wickets in both the innings.
South Africa were bowled out for just 84 in the first innings. Following that, the Indian team lost the next two Tests in Cape Town, Durban. Saurav Ganguly had made a comeback through the series after being dropped from the squad due to a clash with coach Craig Chappell. Thus the atmosphere in the players’ lounge was not conducive.
2010-11
Test 3 – Results (Draw 1-1)
This time the Indian team led by Tony went there. In the first Test at Centurion, Hashim Amla (140), Kallis (201) and De Villiers (129) put on 620 for 4 in the first innings before defeating India by an innings.
Tendulkar hit a century (111) in the 2nd innings to save the team. This marks Tendulkar’s 50th Test century, a new milestone. India beat South Africa by 87 runs in the 2nd Test at Durban. The last Test in Cape Town ended in a draw. This is the first series India have drawn on South African soil.
In the year 2013 …
Test 2 – Results (South Africa 1-0)
This time Tony was the captain of the Indian team. In the first Test at Johannesburg, South Africa were bowled out for 450 for 7 in 136 overs as they chased down India’s target of 458. It was one of the few matches in Test history to come so close and end in a draw. It was another rare occasion for wicket-keepers (Tony and De Villiers) to bowl on both teams.
For India, Virat Kohli and Pujara scored hundreds in the first innings and second innings respectively. South Africa won the 2nd Test by 10 wickets in Durban. South African fast bowler Stein won the man of the match award for taking 9 wickets in total.
2018 …
Test – 3 – Results (South Africa 2-1)
The battle of the Indian team led by Virat Kohli, described as India’s most successful captain, also ended in disappointment. ‘Toss’ played an important role in this. The teams that won the toss and batted first won all 3 Tests.
In the last Test at Johannesburg, South Africa were bowled out for 177 in the second innings towards the target of 241 set by India. Despite India’s defeat in the previous Test at Centurion, captain Virat Kohli scored 155 in the first innings to become the first foreign captain to score a century at the ground.