Classic Clashes: Memorable India vs. South Africa Cricket Encounters

Pune, December 2023:

When South Africa made a return to international cricket after being banned for 22 long years (due to apartheid), it was India who welcomed them by playing a home series against them in 1991.

Since then, the two nations have had quite a few memorable encounters across all formats of the game. In this article, we take a look at some of these classic encounters:

Adelaide, 1992 (ODI)

Match 32 of the Benson Hedges Cup had to be curtailed to 30-over a side because of rain. South Africa won the toss and decided to field first. Mohammad Azharuddin played a captain’s knock and registered the highest score for India (77). Kapil Dev played a cameo and scored 42 off just 29 deliveries. The Men in Blue managed to post a formidable target of 181. Hudson and Kirsten gave the Proteas a solid opening partnership of 128. India fought back and picked up three quick wickets, but the opening stand was good enough to ensure a win for South Africa. Not many would’ve given the Proteas a chance before the game as they had returned to international cricket just some time back, but they fought against all odds to register a victory. For more such interesting odds, you can check betting sites in India.

Nairobi, 2000 (ODI)

With an entry to the finals of ICC KnockOut, 2000 on the line, it was an important game for both teams. Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly played an unbeaten knock of 141 that consisted of 11 fours and 6 sixes. He was ably supported by Tendulkar (39), Dravid (58), and Yuvraj (41). Thanks to a great batting performance, India posted a daunting target of 296. South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 200. In this game, India had used as many as eight bowlers with everyone contributing to the cause equally.

Johannesburg, 2006 (Test)

India’s first Test victory in South Africa came on the back of some great bowling performances with Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, and Anil Kumble coming to the party to restrict the Proteas to a meager 84 in the first innings. India scored a little more than 235 in both the innings and South Africa could never recover from their first-innings debacle. Sreesanth was declared the Player of the Match for his career-best figures of 8/99. The match is also remembered for the one-on-one contest the Kerala speedster had with Andre Nel, and for the little jig he performed after hitting Nel for a six.

Colombo, 2012 (T20I)

In this Super Eight game of the ICC World Twenty20, India and South Africa played out a thriller that went down right to the wire. South Africa won the toss and put India to bat – a decision that seemed right after the first innings as India could muster a total of only 152. However, Indian bowlers too made most of the conditions and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. The Proteas needed 14 to win off the last over with two wickets in hand. It was Laxmipathy Balaji who held his nerves and dismissed both the Morkel brothers to win the game for India by the barest of margins – 1 run.

Cape Town, 2018 (Test)

A game that swung to and fro like a pendulum and is an apt example of how riveting Test cricket could be! After losing some early wickets, South Africa’s middle order rebuilt the innings and helped the team post 286 in the first innings. India, in reply, could manage only 209 riding on Hardik Pandya’s fighting 93. Indian bowlers bowled beautifully in the second innings to bundle out the Proteas for 130. With the hosts needing just 208 to win, it was game on. However, Vernon Philander brought his best on his home ground to bag match figures of 9/75 that broke the back of India’s batting – the hosts were bundled out for just 135.

With both India and South Africa taking so much pride in their cricket, their meetings on the field are bound to offer a lot of interesting battles, and we fans aren’t complaining.