Mumbai: After losing out on the T20 and ODI series to South Africa, Team India is all set to redeem pride in the Test series starting in Mohali from November 5. Let’s recall some of the greatest moments on the pitch whenever these two teams met for the longer format.
Javagal Srinath –the swinger (Ahmedabad, 1996)
South Africa needed 170 runs to win the first Test at Motera. It was easy before Srinath’s fiery spell made it difficult. The right-arm paceman ran through the Proteas with dream figures of 11.5-4-21-6. India won by 64 runs. (Brief scores: IND 223 all out & 190 all out; SA 244 all out & 105 all out; Player of the Match: Javagal Srinath)
Mohammad Azharuddin – one man show (Kolkata, 1996)
When the whole team failed, Azharuddin delivered. Though India lost the Test match by 329 runs but the stylish right-hander stood out with a 77-ball 109 and 52 off 55 at the Eden Gardens. (Brief scores: SA 428 all out & 367/3, IND 329 all out & 137 all out; Player of the Match: Gary Kirsten)
Sachin Tendulkar plays captain’s knock (Cape Town, 1997)
Critics often said that Tendulkar’s batting went downhill after wearing the captain’s hat but the master was at his best during India’s tour of South Africa. Coming into bat in a situation when the scoreboard read 58/5, Tendulkar stitched a partnership of 222 runs with Azharuddin. India lost the match by 282 runs but the iconic 169 is etched in the fans’ minds. (Brief scores: SA 529/7 decl & 256/6 decl; IND 359 all out & 144 all out; Player of the Match: Brian McMillan)
Sreesanth’s five-for (Johannesburg, 2006)
The tainted pacer was at his peak when India toured South Africa in 2006. He rattled the Proteas batsmen and bundled the hosts for a paltry 84 in the first innings with a five-wicket haul. India won the match by 123 runs. (Brief scores: IND 249 all out & 236 all out; SA 84 all out & 278 all out; Player of the Match: S Sreesanth)
Dale Steyn threat (Ahmedabad, 2008)
The Indian batting line-up was relatively new to Steyn’s pace. After cleaning up Virender Sehwag and the strong defence of Rahul Dravid, there was no looking back. He finished with 5/23. South Africa won the match by an innings and 90 runs. (Brief scores: IND 76 all out & 328 all out; SA 494/7 decl; Player of the Match: Ab de Villiers)
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