South Africa vs India 2018: Top 5 Test bowling spells by Indians against the Proteas in South Africa

The Indian team has struggled in South Africa. In 6 tours, they have never managed to win a Test series in the Rainbow Nation. Their best result has been 1-1 in a 3-match Test series and that came in 2010-11.

However, there have been a lot of brilliant individual performances. Here, we look at the best bowling spells by Indians in South Africa. Going to South Africa, it is important to adjust to the conditions and accordingly adjust your game. Thus, the following performances are a testimony to that. Hence, let’s look at the top 5 bowling spells.

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#5 Ishant Sharma – 4/79, Johannesburg (2013)

India’s tour of South Africa in 2013 (which was shortened) was off to a disastrous start. India had lost the 3-match ODI series 2-0 (with the last ODI washed out). And the overseas results over the last 2-3 years were poor. They had been whitewashed in Australia and England (4-0 on each of those tours). Hence, the Test series was very important.

The first Test which was played in Johannesburg is remembered as one of the most thrilling games in recent times. India won the toss and batted first. A brilliant century from Virat Kohli (119) helped the visitors get to 280 (losing their last 5 wickets for 16 runs). South Africa then continued to dominate as they reached 130/1 and looked in total control.

Ishant Sharma who had taken the first ticket looked in good rhythm. He bowled a nice tight line and didn’t give away much. But the only problem was he was bowling a bit short and most the wickets had fallen to the fuller length (he even dismissed Peterson with a full ball).

Hence, post tea on day 2, he changed his length and immediately reaped rewards. He dismissed Hashim Amla and Jacque Kallis on consecutive deliveries to bring India right back in the game. Amla left alone a fullish ball which nipped back in only to see his stumps shattered. Then, Kallis was pinned right in front when he missed a full nip-backing delivery from the tall lanky Delhi pacer. He later got one to bounce on Dale Steyn and got him edging to the slips.

His 4/79 helped India take a crucial lead of 36 runs. India then scored 421 in their second innings to set South Africa a target of 458 which was almost chased (the hosts finished with 450/7).

#4 Javagal Srinath – 6/76, Port Elizabeth (2001)

Javagal Srinath [file]

India were the first team to tour South Africa in 1992 at a time when South Africa were an isolated country due to the apartheid policies. However, they couldn’t manage to win a Test on their first tour, neither did they win a Test match on the second tour (in 1996/97).

In 2001, India were aiming to end the winless streak in South Africa, but the hosts gave them a proper thrashing in the first Test. In the second Test, India opted to field first. Javagal Srinath who was India’s best bowler in the first Test (he took 5/140), got the early breakthrough as he dismissed Gary Kirsten for 4.

But Jacque Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs forged a 70-run partnership for the second wicket and took the hosts to 87/1. But Srinath came back post lunch to dismiss Kallis with a good inswinger. And then again after Agarkar had broken a solid 4th wicket stand, Srinath prized out the dangerous Lance Klusener in the late stages of the day to finish with 3 wickets in the day.

On day 2, he dismissed skipper Shaun Pollock to give India control of the Test match. However, an 80-run stand between Gibbs and Boucher helped South Africa’s total go over 300. Srinath came back and finished off the innings as he picked up the last two wickets as he ended with 6/76 and helped India bowl the hosts out for 362.

India managed to hold on to a draw but lost the series 1-0 and continued to remain winless in South Africa.

#3 Anil Kumble – 6/53, Johannesburg (1992)

Kumble bowled very well on that 1992 South Africa tour.

The 1992 India-South Africa was one of the historic moments in South African cricket history. After playing out a draw in the first Test, South Africa elected to bat first in the second Test at Johannesburg.

South Africa were reduced to 73/5, but Brian McMillian (98) and Jonty Rhodes (91) helped the Proteas reach 292. Despite Sachin Tendulkar’s 111, India could only manage 227 in their first innings.

After gaining a handy lead of 65 runs, South Africa began solidly with a 73-run opening stand. India were slowly losing the plot, but an excellent spell from Anil Kumble (who was playing his 4th Test) helped India skittle out South Africa for 252.

Kumble who had taken 2 wickets in the first innings, took 6/53 to get India back in the game. He took wickets at regular intervals and bowled with superb control. His accuracy was such that 5 out of his 6 wickets were bowled. Hence, his 6/53 went a long way in helping India draw the game.

#2 Harbhajan Singh – 4/10, Durban (2010)

Harbhajan Singh took 6 wickets in that Durban Test match in 2010 to set up India's victory.

In 2010/11, India toured South Africa as the No. 1 Test team and the pressure was on them to live up to the tag of being the top-ranked team in world cricket. After having lost the first Test by an innings and 25 runs, India started the second Test poorly as well as they could only score 205 in the first innings.

However, Zaheer Khan (who missed the first Test nursing an injury) set the tone with a three-wicket burst. Harbhajan Singh, who was one of the two bowlers to pick up wickets in the first Test in Centurion, built on the excellent work done by India’s pace spearhead.

Harbhajan took 4/10 in 7.2 overs to help India skittle out South Africa for 131 and gain a lead of 74 runs. Harbhajan used the bounce to good effect as he ran through the South African lower order. His length was also spot on as he didn’t offer any loose balls and exhibited excellent control.

First, he prized out Hashim Amla and then he took the wickets of Steyn, Harris and Tsotsobe to close out the innings. India went on to win this Test match and in hindsight, Harbhajan’s 4/10 played a crucial role in the victory.

#1 S Sreesanth – 5/40, Johannesburg (2006)

India’s tour of South Africa in 2006 saw India create history. India played their first ever T20I. Then came India’s first Test win in South Africa.

That Test win came in the first Test of the 2006/07 Test series. India had won the toss and elected to bat first and had scored only 249. However, India’s pacers bowled beautifully to bowl South Africa out for a mere 84. And it was Sreesanth who was the star with the ball. Having made his debut only earlier that year (in 2006), Sreesanth had taken a couple of 4-fers in his first two Tests.

However, the way he in Johannesburg was just brilliant. He was getting the ball to swing and was bowing with great control and at high speeds. He was accurate and got some of the best batsmen out in his spell of 5/40.

First, he dismissed Graeme Smith with an excellent inswinger and then, Amla and Kallis were caught in the slips edging beautiful outswingers. He then picked up the wickets of Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock with deliveries that nipped back into the right-handers.

Sreesanth’s 5/40 set up the Test match for India as they completed a famous win (their first in South Africa).