Top 5 Test innings by Indians against South Africa

India’s ‘Big Three’ – Sachin, Ganguly & Dravid – feature in this listSince the Proteas readmission to Test Cricket in 1992, they have always been a formidable team in the longer format of the game. As a result, a good innings against the South Africans has always been viewed with great respect.The Indians have encountered the African nation many a time over these past twenty years or so, and though the results might not have been in favour of India much of the time, we have been witness to some memorable knocks by the Indian batsmen. Now, as the Indians prepare for a home series against the Proteas, here is an attempt to look at some of the best innings played by Indians against the South Africans over the years.

#5 Sourav Ganguly 51* at Johannesburg, 2006

The first Test of the 2006-07 series turned out to be a historic one as India registered their first victory on South African soil in the longer format of the game. The hero of the match was beyond doubts S Sreesanth, whose 5-wicket haul in the first innings played a leading hand in bowling out the Proteas for 84.

But this game at Johannesburg was also the comeback match for former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and the Prince of Kolkata made it a royal come back. With an unbeaten 51, he was the top scorer in India’s first innings score of 249. More than the number of runs, it was the circumstances in which the runs were scored and the fact that it resulted in India’s first Test victory in South Africa that makes this knock very special.

#4 Mohammad Azharuddin 107 at Kolkata, 1996

Azhar’s century off 74 balls was the joint fastest by an Indian cricketer

This knock by former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin equalled the fastest century by an Indian and it came off just 74 balls (Kapil Dev also scored a century of 74 balls against Sri Lanka).

Azhar who got injured early on in the innings returned back with the Indian score at 161-7 and along with legendary spinner Anil Kumble ensured that India did not have to follow-on. The duo went on to add 161 runs for the eighth wicket.

The highlight of Azhar’s innings was the five consecutive fours that he hit off Lance Klusner. Although, India went on to lose the match despite Azhar’s heroics; this innings will go down as one of the best innings by an Indian against South Africa.

#3 Rahul Dravid 148 at Johannesburg, 1997

This was the first of the 36 Test centuries scored by Rahul Dravid and it came in trying conditions with India 0-2 down in the 3-match series. ‘The Wall’ as he is often called batted for nine hours and helped India score 410 runs in the first innings. He came in to bat at the fall of the first wicket and was the last man dismissed.

This knock was a preview of the things that this genius had in store for us in the coming years. Had it not been for the weather and a determined Daryll Cullinan, India could well have won the Test match. The match ended in a draw with Indians needing only two more South Africans wicket for their first victory in the series and on South African soil at the time.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar 169 at Cape Town, 1997

A list comprising of the best centuries by Indians against any opposition would rarely be completed without a Sachin Tendulkar special. It was one of those sublime Tendulkar innings in which he did not spare a single bowler.

Along with Mohammad Azharuddin, he added 222 runs in about 40 overs in a session of play which was a treat for any cricket lover. It required a spectacular catch from Adam Bacher to dismiss Tendulkar. But despite the knock, India lost the match by 282 runs.

#1 Virender Sehwag 319 at Chennai, 2008

In over 125 years of Test match cricket, there have been only 28 triple centuries by 24 players. So, a triple century in any condition or against any opposition deserves a special mention.

Virender Sehwag who redefined Test match opening batting scored his second triple century against the South Africans in Chennai. Scored of 278 balls, this is till date the fastest triple century in terms of the number of balls faced. The match which ended up in a tame draw will always be remembered for Sehwag’s innings.