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

#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.