5 classics between India and South Africa in Tests

India and South Africa have been involved in many entertaining Test matchesIndia and South Africa, two powerhouses of world cricket, take on each other in the purest form of cricket after a gruelling battle in the limited-over formats. Over the years, there has been some great cricket played between the two teams in Test cricket and we will look forward to more of that in the upcoming four-Test series being played in India.Talking about the past, there are a few matches involving Team India and the Proteas that stand a cut above the rest. Let’s take a look at 5 such classic Test matches:

#1 1st Test of the 1996 India-South Africa Series, Ahmedabad

Javagal Srinath grabbed 6 wickets in the South African 2nd innings

One of the earliest classics between India and South Africa was the 1st Test of the 1996 series played at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. In what turned out to be a low-scoring affair, India chose to bat first against Donald & Co on a pitch that was going to assist the bowlers more.

The host nation was shot out for just 223, thanks to the 4 for 37 recorded by their premier fast bowler, Allan Donald. The visitors too did not fare too well in their 1st innings and could muster a marginal lead of 21 runs, largely due to medium pacer Fanie de Villiers’ enterprising 67.

The Indian batting was even worse in their 2nd innings as they were blown away for a mere 190 and left the Proteas with a target of only 170 in the 4th innings of the Test.

With Team India’s backs against the wall, it was time for at least one player to raise his hand up and it turned out to be India’s then premier paceman, Javagal Srinath. In a dream spell, the Karnataka bowler picked up 6 for 21 as the South African innings fell apart for 105 with as many as 6 batters getting out for a duck handing the Indians a famous 64-run victory.

#2 3rd Test of the 1997 India-South Africa Series, Johannesburg

Rahul Dravid gets to his 1st Test century

In the present day, this Test is known more for Rahul Dravid’s maiden century; however, it is also one of the greatest Test matches ever played between India and South Africa. Even though the series was in the bag for the Proteas, a victory in the final Test was needed by the visitors to leave with their heads held high.

Banking on Dravid’s doggedly determined knock of 148, India compiled a score of 410 in their 1st innings after choosing to bat first. In response, South Africa recovered from a precarious situation at 147 for 5 to post a respectable 321 all out on the board.

Rahul Dravid delivered in the 2nd innings too, top scoring with 81 and was supported well by wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia (50) and fellow batsman Sourav Ganguly (60). India declared at 266 for 8 close to the end of play on the 4th day and left the South African batsmen with 356 to get in just a little over a day.

The Indian bowlers came charged up on the next day looking to lead their team to victory. At one stage, they had the hosts in deep trouble at 96 for 7 and a loss loomed in the horizon for them.

But frequent rain interruptions and an unbeaten classy 122 by Daryll Cullinan ensured that the match ended in a draw and South Africa maintained their clean sheet with a 2-0 win in the series.

#3 1st Test of the 2000 India-South Africa Series, Mumbai

Hansie Cronje’s men handed India a rare series defeat at home

Whenever the name Hansie Cronje pops up in a cricket discussion, it generally changes course and heads in the direction of the infamous match-fixing saga which had turned cricket topsy-turvy at the turn of the millennium.

But we tend to forget the success the South African team had under his captaincy, one of them being the rare distinction of defeating India at home in a Test series.

The 1st Test of the series played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai turned out to be one of the India-South Africa classics. Batting first, India managed just 225 on the board and they got to this score solely depending on a 97 by skipper Sachin Tendulkar.

The bowlers fought back well, though, and managed to pull back things by bundling out the Proteas for a mere 176 and ensuring a lead of 49. However, the Indian batsmen failed even more badly and were dismissed by Pollock & Co for 113. This left the visitors with only 163 runs to chase.

India did manage to put up a good fight with the ball with Anil Kumble taking 4 wickets, but Mark Boucher’s heroics at the end saw the tourists home despite having lost 6 wickets in the process.

#4 1st Test of the 2006/07 India-South Africa Series, Johannesburg

Sreesanth takes a wicket during his dream spell at Johannesburg

One of India’s most famous victories on foreign soil also makes it to our list of India-South Africa classics. This match is extremely special because of the fact that whatever transpired in the middle was completely against all odds.

No one had expected India to win in the manner that they did and also that a rookie pacer will bowl them to victory. Having scored 249 in their 1st innings, Team India dismantled the hosts for a lowly 84 courtesy of a dream performance from Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who took 5 for 40.

Indian batsmen built on a huge 165-run 1st innings lead by getting 236 in their 2nd innings and setting South Africa a target of 402. Sreesanth was at it in the second innings too and in combination with Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble, bowled India to a resounding victory by a margin of 123 runs.

#5 2nd Test of the 2010/11 India-South Africa Series, Durban

Team India celebrate the fall of a wicket in the Durban Test

Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s last tour to South Africa turned out to be the best ever for Team India in terms of the result. The 3-match Test series ended up all square mainly because of India’s fighting victory in the 2nd Test played at Durban which is a part of our list of India-South Africa classics.

On a pitch which had a lot in it for the seamers, the host team put India into bat and as was expected bowled them out for 205.

The response from the Indian bowlers was even more emphatic as they blew away the Proteas side for a paltry score of 131 and thereby, securing a 74-run lead. Thanks to a masterful 96 from the bat of VVS Laxman, India were able to extend their lead to 302.

Needing 303 to win, the South Africans made a confident start but could not build on it and were bowled out for 215 handing the visitors an 87-run win.