3 memorable overseas Test wins for Team India in the decade gone by

#2 2010-2011 2nd Test between South Africa and India played at Durban

This was India's 1st Test win in Durban and second overall in South Africa

This was the 2nd Test match of the series between hosts South Africa and India played at Durban. After suffering an innings defeat at Centurion, Team India had an uphill task to turn their fortunes around in Durban. Put in to bat first on a cloudy day, the Indian batsmen looked all at sea against a potent South African bowling attack that comprised Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Paul Harris. Virender Sehwag (25), Murali Vijay (19), Rahul Dravid (25), Sachin Tendulkar (13), VVS Laxman (38), CA Pujara (19), M.S Dhoni (35), Harbhajan Singh (21) all got starts but none of them managed to capitalize and India were bundled out for 205. Dale Steyn picked up 6 wickets, while Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up 2 wickets each.

With a paltry score to defend, Indian bowlers stepped up their game and managed to create early inroads into the South African batting line-up. Harbhajan Singh picked up 4 wickets for 10 runs in 7.2 overs and South Africa were bundled out for 131 runs in 40 overs. While Harbhajan picked up 4 wickets, Zaheer Khan accounted for 3 dismissals ably supported by Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma who picked up 1 wicket each.

With a lead of 74 runs, India got off to a racy start thanks to Virender Sehwag who scored a quickfire 32 but after he was dismissed the wickets kept falling at regular intervals and it was VVS Laxman who resurrected the Indian innings with a brilliant 96 that helped India reach a score of 228 in their second innings.

Harbhajan was in great form.

The Proteas required 303 runs to win and they got off to a good start with an opening partnership of 63 runs between Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen. However, after the fall of the first wicket, none of the South African batsmen managed to score big and in the end, they were bowled out for 215 in their second innings. Ashwell Prince was the top scorer with the bat with 39 not out. Among the Indian bowlers, Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth picked up 3 wickets each, while Harbhajan Singh picked up 2 wickets and Ishant Sharma picked up 1 wicket.

India won the game by 87 runs and for his brilliant knock of 96, VVS Laxman was awarded the Man of the Match.

Why is this win so special?

India suffered an innings defeat in the first Test at Centurion. After being put in to bat first, India were on the back foot after the end of the 1st Innings. However, it was the bowlers who stepped up their game and won the match for the team. This win was India's second-ever Test win in South Africa and the first even in Durban. India not only managed to win the Test match but also went on to level the series 1-1 by the end of the series.

VVS played a special hand.