5 memorable bowling performances by Team India players in South Africa 

#3 5/54 by Jasprit Bumrah - Johannesburg (2018)

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates a wicket with Virat Kohli. Pic: Getty Images

Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah made an instant impact in his debut Test series in South Africa, claiming his maiden five-for in the Johannesburg Test. The memorable effort went a long way in India registering a famous win, only their third in Test matches in South Africa.

India managed a mere 187 batting first, but Bumrah’s 5 for 54 in 18.5 overs kept India in the contest. The unconventional pacer claimed the big wickets of Hashim Amla, opposition skipper Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock before sending back the tail. Thanks to Bumrah’s spell, India restricted South Africa to 194.

India scored 247 in their second innings, with Ajinkya Rahane contributing 48 and Virat Kohli 41. South Africa were set a target of 241 to clinch the three-match series 3-0. However, the hosts folded up for 177 as India achieved a consolation victory.

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#2 5/28 by Mohammed Shami - Johannesburg (2018)

Mohammed Shami is ecstatic after dismissing Aiden Markram. Pic: Getty Images

While Bumrah claimed a five-for in the first innings of the 2018 Johannesburg Test, his pace bowling partner Mohammed Shami claimed an equally brutal five-wicket haul in the second. Chasing 241, South Africa would have fancied their chances. However, Shami stunned the Proteas with figures of 5 for 28 in 12.3 overs.

Shami struck the first blow in South Africa’s chase, having Aiden Markram caught behind for 4 with a short ball that swung away. He returned to dismantle the lower order, sending back Vernon Philander, Andile Phehlukwayo, Morne Morkel and last-man Lungi Ngidi. The South African tail was pretty much clueless against Shami’s brilliance.

Apart from Shami, Ishant also claimed two scalps in South Africa’s second innings while Bumrah added two more to his first innings five-for. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named Player of the Match. He scored 30 and 33 with the bat and picked up a total of four wickets.

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#1 5/40 & 3/59 by S Sreesanth - Johannesburg (December 2006)

Sreesanth with the Man of the Match trophy for his performance in the 2006 Johannesburg Test. Pic: Getty Images

Undoubtedly, the most memorable bowling performance by an Indian in South Africa. After all, it resulted in India’s maiden Test win in the Rainbow Nation. S Sreesanth returned with figures of 5 for 40 and 3 for 39 as India defeated South Africa by 123 runs in the 2006 Johannesburg Test.

India batted first in the Test and managed only 249, with Sourav Ganguly top-scoring with an unbeaten 51. Before South Africa knew what had hit them, they were all out for 84 as Sreesanth claimed five wickets in 10 overs in a sensational spell of swing bowling.

The Kerala pacer began by trapping Graeme Smith lbw with an inswinger. He then had Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis caught in the slips by forcing them to poke at swinging deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty. Sreesanth then cleaned up Mark Boucher and trapped Shaun Pollock lbw to complete a famous five-wicket haul.

India scored 236 in their second innings, build around VVS Laxman’s 73, to set South Africa a target of 402. Ashwell Prince fought hard for the Proteas with 97. However, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Kumble picked up three scalps each to bowl Team India to their first-ever Test win on South African soil.