Yes we all are stunned after hearing that India couldn’t chase a total of 208 in 2nd innings. Even after the brilliant performance by the Indian bowler , our batsman gave a lackluster performance. We have to give credits to the South African bowlers who stole the show. It was just another bad at the office the boys and no gain just blaming our players for a loss. We must remember that we are still on the top. Let us look at the times when we beat the South African team:-
1. 1991-92 in India
Nearly 22 years after being isolated from the international fold due to apartheid, South Africa arrived in India for a three-match one-day series. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Calcutta to greet the team and Eden Gardens – which hosted the first match – reportedly exceeded its capacity. India prevailed in a low-scoring game, but significantly for South Africa, it was their discovery of a world-class fast bowler in Allan Donald who took 5 for 29. India won the next game at Gwalior, and with it, the series. South Africa earned a consolation win in the final match in New Delhi, as Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten guided the side home in a high-scoring encounter under lights. Even in defeat, the South Africans returned home with indelible memories over the response from the Indian public, and an emotional captain Clive Rice was quoted in Wisden as saying,“I know how Neil Armstrong felt when he stood on the moon.”
2. 1996-97 in India
A strong South African side led by Hansie Cronje arrived in India for their first full Test tour. The tour began with a tri-series also featuring Australia, and South Africa – after winning all their league games – choked in the final against India. The pitch for the first Test at Ahmedabad came under intense scrutiny, as the batsmen succumbed to the inconsistent bounce. South Africa fancied their chances with a target of 170, but weren’t prepared for Javagal Srinath, who gnawed through the batting with 6 for 21 to seal a surprise win. The second Test at Calcutta witnessed a strong comeback by South Africa, though it was an unforgettable game for individual performances – Azharuddin’s blistering century off 74 balls, Lance Klusener’s dream debut with innings figures of 8 for 64, and Gary Kirsten’s twin centuries. The teams then headed to Kanpur for the decider and South Africa were exposed at a Kanpur pitch where the ball barely rose above the knee level. Azharuddin’s piled on the agony with 163 to set South Africa an improbable target. The win was a fitting end to the home season for India and was a rosy start for Tendulkar as captain.
Tests: India 2 South Africa 1
3. 2004-05 in India
South Africa’s third Test tour of India was almost a non-starter, as South Africa threatened to pull out if they failed to get any assurances that Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje will not be prosecuted by the Indian police in the match-fixing scandal. However, both players pulled out and the tour went ahead as scheduled. India were expected to wrap up the series comprehensively, against a South African side struggling for form, but things didn’t quite go to plan at the start. The first Test at Kanpur was played on a featherbed of a pitch, with Andrew Hall frustrated India to no end with an obdurate 163. After a dull draw, a relieved India took the second Test and the series in Kolkata, with the old arm of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh sharing all ten second innings wickets. Scheduling problems meant that the one-dayers had to be played at a later date.
Tests: India 1 South Africa 0
We have played amazing cricket and won the home series three times. Overseas win is still a dream and surely 2018 series will be a winning one for us.
