South Africa vs. India: Cricket
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Fact files
The Hindu, December 13, 2015
»India first toured South Africa in 1992-93. South Africa won its first Test series 1-0. The four Test series started on November 13, 1992 and ended on January 6, 1993. The captains were Mohd Azharuddin and Clive Rice. Kepler Wessels became the first international cricketer to represent two countries i.e. Australia and South Africa.
» South Africa then toured India in 1996. The tour was a three Test series. India won the series 2-1. The captains were Sachin Tendulkar and Hansie Cronje (South Africa).
» The Indian team visited South Africa in 1996-97. The tour started on December 26, 1996 and ended on January 20, 1997. South Africa won the three Test series 2-0. India showed pathetic display in the first Test at Durban by being bundled out for 100 and 66.
» Mohammad Azharuddin was the first Indian captain to tour South Africa after it was reinducted into international arena.
»The series in 1992-93 was even more historic as Kapil Dev removed Jimmy Cook off the very first delivery of the series.
»In the Twenty20 Internationals, out of 7 matches, India won 5 and South Africa won 2.
»The total number of one-day international played between India and South Africa till now were 71 out of which India won 26, South Africa 42 and no result 3.
1992-2015
The Hindu, December 13, 2015
Durban to Dharamsala: India vs South Africa since 1992
India toured South Africa for its bilateral series in 1992-93. South Africa won the seires 1-0. Captains: Mohd Azharuddin and Clive Rice. Kepler Wessels became the first international cricketer to represent two countries (Australia and South Africa) and also made a timely century in that Test.
In December 2015, India and South Africa are set to play a full series (72-day tour) which will include four Tests, five ODIs and three T20 Internationals starting on October 2.
It will be indeed a litmus Test for the young Indian Test captain Virat Kohli. South Africa is led by Hashim Amla in Tests, AB De Villiers in ODIs and Faf du Plessis in the T20s.
Ahead of this mammoth series, we give you look at The Hindu's coverage of the historic first Test in 1992 and the numbers that the two cricketing nations have stacked up since then.
India vs South Africa: The numbers since 1992
The Hindu, December 13, 2015
Top four Highest partnerships
340 between Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis at Nagpur in February 2010 for the third wicket.
268 between Virendra Sehwag and Rahul Dravid at Chennai in March 2008 for the second wicket.
Unbeaten 259 run partnership between VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni at Kolkata in February 2010 for the seventh wicket
256 between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers at Ahmedabad in April 2008 for the fifth wicket.
Best bowling: (In a match)
Allan Donald : 55-15-139-12 at Port Elizabeth, December 1992.
Dale Steyn : 34.5-7-108-10 at Nagpur, February 2010.
Shaun Pollock : 48.4-18-147-10 at Bloemfontein, November 2001.
Venkatesh Prasad : 44-10-153-10 at Durban, December 1996.
Best Bowling (In an Innings)
Lance Klusner : 21.3-4-64-8, Kolkata, November 1996.
Most wickets (50+ wickets)
Anil Kumble : Total 21 tests, 84 wickets
Javagal Srinath: Total 13 tests, 64 wickets
Allan Donald: Total 11 tests, 57 wickets
Highest scores (150+ scores)
319 by Virendra Sehwag (304b, 42x4, 5x6), Chennai, March 2008.
253 not out by Hashim Amla (473b, 22x4, 0x6), Nagpur, February 2008.
217 not out by AB de Villiers (333b, 17x4, 2x6), Ahmedabad, April 2008.
173 by Jacques Kallis (351b, 15x4, 2x6), Nagpur, Febuary 2010.
196 by Herschelle Gibbs (354b, 25x4, 1x6), Port Elizabeth, November 2001.
169 by Sachin Tendulkar (254b, 26x4), Cape Town, January 1997.
Most runs
1415 runs in 22 tests by Sachin Tendulkar
1162 runs in 12 tests by Virendra Sehwag
1132 runs in 18 tests by Rahul Dravid
1087 runs in 13 tests by Jacques Kallis
947 runs in 17 tests by Sourav Ganguly.
Highest totals
643/6d by India in 153.0 overs at Kolkata, February 2010.
627/10 by India in 155.1 overs at Chennai, March 2008.
563/10 by South Africa in 143.o ovs at Bloemfontein, November 2001.
558/6d by South Africa in 176.0 ovs at Nagpur, February 2010.
India-South Africa clashes
The Hindu, December 13, 2015
The Proteas are back
For decades, India and South Africa had no ties. The Indian passport was "Valid for all countries except Rhodesia and South Africa".
India has a few loose ends to tie up
The India-South Africa clash, the first of the last four duels, at the Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, holds intriguing possibilities.
Kallis is a class act in grand theatre
The Indian bowlers had not accounted for a man named Jacques Kallis and they came a cropper when challenged by his experience, technical excellence and class.
The comeback of a captain
Sourav Ganguly, seemed to have derived immense motivation after a visit to the historic Pietermaritzburg near Durban.
Memorable matches
Tests
1992-2018
Manish Kumar, Dec 20, 2021: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: The current Indian team has some remarkable firsts to its name in Test cricket. The two successive Test series victories in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) outshine all the others. The 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka in 2017 was also a first, so was the clean sweep of West Indies in a Test series in the Caribbean in 2019. India have a 2-1 lead in a five-Test series against England. The last Test was not played due to COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp and is scheduled to be held in England in July 2022.
One country where the Indian team has not won a Test series ever though is South Africa. India's last tour of the rainbow nation was in 2017-18, with the hosts winning the three-match series 2-1.
Overall, India and South Africa have played 39 Tests against each other, with India emerging victorious on 14 occasions but losing 15 Test encounters. 10 Tests ended in draws.
In South Africa, the Head to Head stats are tilted heavily in favour of the hosts, with the Proteas winning 10 of the 20 matches played on South African soil and India managing only 3 wins from 1992 to 2018.
Over the years these two teams have been involved in some great Test battles.
Here we look at five of the most memorable Test matches between India and South Africa played in the rainbow nation:
2006 - Johannesburg, 1st Test: India won by 123 runs
This was India's first ever Test victory in South Africa and what was more remarkable was that it was fashioned by the pacers. Rahul Dravid won the toss and even though history favoured the team batting second and there were damp spots on the pitch which meant a delayed start, the India captain chose to bat first, with three pacers in the playing XI.
Openers Wasim Jaffer and Virender Sehwag fell early but a 69-run stand between Sachin Tendulkar (44) and Dravid (32) prevented a top order collapse. With the dismissals of Tendulkar and Dravid with just over 100 runs on the board, the scenario was set for another low Indian first innings score against a rampaging pace attack.
But former captain Sourav Ganguly, making a comeback into the Indian team, brought all his grit and experience to the fore and held one end up with an unbeaten 51-run knock that was also the top score in the Indian first innings total that ended at 249, thanks largely to a record 44-run partnership between Ganguly and VRV Singh (29).
S Sreesanth then ran through the South African line-up taking 5/40 in 10 overs. Using the width of the crease, Sreesanth bowled with an upright seam to make the ball talk with supreme accuracy. Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble took 2 wickets each and VRV Singh scalped one as South Africa were bundled out for just 84 runs in 25.1 overs.
VVS Laxman top scored for India with a resolute 73 after Sehwag's typical 29-ball 33 at the top of the order in the Indian second innings. Ganguly's 25 and Zaheer's 37 took India to 236 to give the Proteas a 402-run target.
Ashwell Prince top scored with 97 in the Proteas second innings, but Zaheer, Sreesanth and Kumble took 3 wickets each to bowl out South Africa for 278, as India won the match by 123 runs to register their first ever Test victory on South African soil.
2010 - Durban, 2nd Test: India won by 87 runs
India had lost the first Test of this series by an innings and 25 runs in Centurion and when the teams reached Durban for the Boxing Day Test, one look at the green Kingsmead pitch and the writing seemed to be on the wall for Team India.
But the final result was something very different.
MS Dhoni lost the toss and Graeme Smith had no hesitation in asking India to bat. Dale Steyn took 6/50 as no Indian batsman reached 40 and the Indian first innings folded for 205 - a total India reached thanks largely to gritty knocks by Laxman (38) and Dhoni (35).
Zaheer then worked up his magic with the ball and picked up 3 wickets, including his perpetual bunny Smith. But it was Harbhajan Singh's 4/10 that proved to be decisive as South Africa were bowled out for 131 runs in their first innings.
Laxman shone again in the second innings and fell just four runs short of what could have been his first century in South Africa. Apart from Laxman's 96, notable contributions from Sehwag (32), Dhoni (21) and Zaheer (27), helped India get to 228 to set the hosts a 303-run target.
Zaheer and Sreesanth then took 3 wickets each and Harbhajan scalped 2 as South Africa managed to get to only 215 and India won by 87 runs.
This was India's second Test victory in South Africa and it had an absolute peach of a delivery bowled by the mercurial Sreesanth to the Proteas batting mainstay Jacques Kallis in the second innings. The Sreesanth delivery rose from good length and came in sharply, catching Kallis by surprise as he jumped in the air to avoid the bouncer but the ball hit his glove and ballooned to gully for Sehwag to take the catch.
2018 - Johannesburg, 3rd Test: India won by 63 runs
South Africa already had an unassailable 2-0 series lead going into this Test. India lost openers KL Rahul (0) and Murali Vijay (8) quite early after opting to bat. But an 84-run stand between captain Virat Kohli (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50) saved India from total embarrassment. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit 30 down the order as the India first innings folded up for 187, with Kagiso Rabada taking 3/39. Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo took 2 wickets each.
Jasprit Bumrah, playing only his third Test then stepped up to the plate, taking 5/54 and Bhuvneshwar scalped 3/44 to bundle out South Africa for 194, despite Hashim Amla's 61.
Ajinkya Rahane top scored for India in the second innings with a 48-run knock, while captain Kohli contributed with 41.
Bhuvneshwar again came up with a handy 33-run knock down the order to take India's second innings total to 247 to set the home side a 241-run target.
Aiden Markram fell to Mohammed Shami in the second over, but a 119-run stand between Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla kept the home team afloat. But once Amla (52) fell with 124 runs on the board, the South African innings just fell apart. The Proteas lost their next eight wickets for just 53 runs on a fast deteriorating pitch, with Shami finishing with 5/28 and Bumrah and Ishant Sharma taking two scalps each.
Opener Elgar carried his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 86-run knock but South Africa were bowled out for 177 runs handing India a 63-run win for only their third Test victory on South African soil. This, till date remains their last Test win in South Africa.
1992 - Port Elizabeth, 3rd Test: South Africa won by 9 wickets
This was India's first tour to South Africa and Allan Donald was at his ferocious best. India had managed to draw the previous two Tests at Durban and Johannesburg but before the third Test, there was a one-day series which India lost 2-5.
When South African captain Kepler Wessels asked India to bat first in good batting conditions, a few eyebrows were raised but Donald vindicated his captain's decision by taking 5/55, ably supported by Brian McMillan's 3/41 and India were bowled out for 212, with then captain Mohammad Azharuddin top scoring with a 60-run knock. Hansie Cronje hit 135 in South Africa's first innings total of 275 with Anil Kumble and Venkatapathy Raju taking three wickets each in marathon spells.
India were tottering at 27/5 in their second innings when Kapil Dev walked in to bat. And it soon became 31/6 as Ravi Shastri fell to McMillan. Then the onslaught began. In a superlative display of clean hitting that only he was capable of, Kapil began punishing all the South African bowlers dispatching them to all parts of the ground. Donald and Brett Schultz tried to bounce him out, but Kapil pulled them to the fine leg and the square leg fence nonchalantly. Craig Matthews pitched it up, Kapil hit him over and through the covers effortlessly. Kapil's straight six off left-arm spinner Omar Henry was a sight to behold. The former captain's clean hitting on both sides of the wicket was a treat to watch and he did all this while batting with an injured right hand in the twilight of his career.
Kapil reached his eighth and last Test century off 134 balls with the help of 11 fours and six. The next best score after Kapil's 129 was 17, which was registered by Manoj Prabhakar. Kiran More and Anil Kumble also gave some support to Kapil's magnificent knock. India were bowled out for 215 and South Africa chased down the small 153-run target with 9 wickets in hand.
Donald took 7 wickets in the India second innings in which none of the top six Indian batsmen reached double figures, South Africa completed their first Test win since they were readmitted to the ICC in four days, but it is Kapil's magnificent counter-attack, albeit in a losing cause, that remains etched in the fans memories.
1997 - Cape Town, 2nd Test: South Africa won by 282 runs
If there are any batsmen who could match or sometimes even outshine Sachin Tendulkar in terms of dazzling strokeplay, they were the two batting wizards from Hyderabad - the ones with the magical wrists - Mohammad Azharuddin and VVS Laxman. January 4, 1997 is one such date when Tendulkar and Azharuddin joined forces to dazzle the world. India had lost the first Test in Durban by 328 runs and were at the receiving end in the second at Newlands in Cape Town as the Proteas declared their first innings after piling up 529 runs on the board thanks to centuries by Gary Kirsten (103), Brian McMillan (103*) and Lance Klusener (102*). India were in dire straits at 58/5 when Azharuddin walked in to join his captain Tendulkar at the crease and together they stitched a 222-run partnership off just 40 overs.
Relieved of captaincy, Azharuddin took the South African bowlers to the cleaners, whipping and flicking nonchalantly both good and bad deliveries to the boundary. Skipper Tendulkar was more orthodox, his drives down the ground coming off a straight bat that was just next to the pad, with a high elbow, but with such perfect timing that the ball raced to the fence.
No South African bowler was spared, Klusener was hit for three successive fours by Azharuddin in an over, Donald's deliveries were flicked to square leg, caressed through the covers and cut through point by Tendulkar, Shaun Pollock pitched it up and both Tendulkar and Azharuddin smashed him down the ground. Paul Adams bowled a wrong one and Azharuddin came down the track and smashed him straight over the top for a six. Both Tendulkar and Azharuddin hit on the up, drove down the ground and pulled magnificently in a full array of shots while toying with the bowling attack during the onslaught.
Tendulkar reached his fifty off 68 balls, Azharuddin raced to his fifty off 57 deliveries. Tendulkar reached his 11th Test hundred off 138 balls with a flick off Donald that raced to the mid-wicket fence. Azharuddin raced to his 16th Test century off 96 deliveries soon after with a tap to the covers for a quick single off Donald. The Newlands crowd gave a standing ovation to the batting maestros as they had been treated to a glorious batting display.
The stand was broken in the only way that looked possible that day, Azharuddin tapped a Paul Adams delivery to backward point and ran for a quick single only to be turned back by Tendulkar. But Azharuddin could not beat the throw from Andrew Hudson into the hands of wicket-keeper David Richardson who removed the bails in a flash.
Azharuddin fell after scoring 115 off 110 balls with the help of 19 fours and a six, with India still needing 50 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Tendulkar went on to score 169 - a knock studded with 26 fours and his was the last wicket to fall. Though India avoided the follow-on, they went on to lose the match by 282 runs. But that stirring batting display by both Tendulkar and Azharuddin on the third day of the Test was a sight for the gods.
ODIs
1993-2016: FIVE MEMORABLE ODIs
June 5, 2019: The Times of India
Text: Narayanan S
CLIFFHANGER RIVALRY
FIVE MEMORABLE ODIS BETWEEN INDIA & SA...
1993 HERO CUP SEMIFINAL, KOLKATA
South Africa needed six runs off the last over. Sachin Tendulkar persuaded skipper Mohammad Azharuddin to give him the ball. The Proteas lost Fanie de Villiers to a runout the first ball and Tendulkar came up with three dot balls in a row to No. 11 Allan Donald. Brian McMillan got the strike with one ball remaining and four needed, and just three for a place in the final. He could get only a single. Tendulkar delivered on his promise and took India into the final.
IND 195 in 50 overs (Azhar 90, Amre 48; de Villiers 3/19, Snell 3/33) bt SA 193/9 in 50 overs (Hudson 62, McMillan 48*) by 2 runs.
2002 CHAMPIONS TROPHY SEMIFINAL, COLOMBO
Chasing 262, SA were cruising at 192/1 when Herschelle Gibbs retired hurt after scoring a ton. Yuvraj Singh’s stunning catch to dismiss Jonty Rhodes off Harbhajan Singh gave India a whiff. Sehwag, with his flat roundarmish off-spin, tied down the batsmen and bagged three wickets. The Proteas fell short by 10 runs.
IND 261/9 in 50 overs (Yuvraj 62, Sehwag 59, S Pollock 3/43) bt SA 251/6 in 50 overs (Gibbs retired hurt 116, Kallis 97; Sehwag 3/25) by 10 runs.
2ND ODI, JOHANNESBURG, 2010-11
SA needed to go at just over two per over for a win when they opted to take the batting powerplay in the 31st over. They lost three wickets for 20 in the next five overs. MS Dhoni gave Munaf Patel the ball in the 43rd over and brought the field up with just three required for a win. Both Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell went for the glory shot and were out caught, giving India a one-run win.
IND 190 in 47.2 overs (Y Singh 53; Lonwabo Tsotsobe 4/22) bt SA 189 all out in 43 overs (G Smith 77; M Patel 4/29) by 1 run.
2011 WORLD CUP GROUP MATCH, NAGPUR
An opening partnership of 142 runs in under 18 overs from savage Sehwag and silky Tendulkar gave India a rampaging start. However, once Tendulkar was dismissed, 9 wickets fell for 29 as Dale Steyn pocketed five to limit India to 296. The Proteas went into the final over needing 13. Robin Peterson smashed Ashish Nehra around the park to end the contest in four balls.
SA 300/7 in 49.4 overs (Kallis 69, Amla 61, Harbhajan 3/53) bt IND 296 in 48.4 overs (Tendulkar 111, Sehwag 73, Steyn 5/50) by 3 wickets.
1ST ODI, KANPUR, 2015-16
AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma scored belligerent centuries. The match seemed sealed for India with 35 needed off four overs with seven wickets in hand, but Imran Tahir dismissed a tired Rohit and Suresh Raina in the same over. MS Dhoni struggled to get going and Rabada successfully defended 11 runs in the last over.
SA 303/5 in 50 overs (AB de Villiers 104*, F du Plessis 62) bt IND 298/7 in 50 overs (R Sharma 150, A Rahane 60) by 5 runs.
India’s victories: 2010-13
World Cup 2015
Feb 23 2015
ATTACK, TO A PLAN
India won the toss and happily elected to bat at the packed MCG.They lost Rohit Sharma for a duck but stuck to the plan of seeing off South Africa's seeing off South Africa's dangerous new ball bowlers. Shikhar Dhawan (137) and Virat Kohli (46) stayed calm, waiting for the storm to pass. They pulled out their big shots only after they got acquainted with the perfect batting track; but that too only if they got the width or length to play them. The thrust was provided by Ajinkya Rahane, who attacked without ever looking like he was. His 79 off 60 deliveries propelled India to a grand total of 307
STEADY LINE & LENGTH
When India lost 4 quick wickets (261 for 2 to 284 for 6) in their final few overs, it looked like they might have fallen short by a few.Especially against the attacking six of South Africa. But as the evening set in and the lights were switched on, India's pace bowlers came into their own. Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma found the right line and length to crowd the batsmen, adding to the pressure. They hardly bowled any boundary balls and were spectacularly backed by their mates in the outfield.Spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja did the rest, playing on SA's renowned fragile nerves.
DE VILLIERS RUNS OUT SA
India removed their nemesis Quinton de Kock early but they knew there were other tormentors too. After Hashim Amla's unconvincing stint, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers dug in, clearly waiting for the right moment to cut loose. Just when the pressure was easing, Jadeja brought it right back with four dot balls. De Villiers got unnerved and tried to convert a single into a double. Mohit fired in a perfect throw and Dhoni whipped off the bails.The India captain celebrated like he rarely does. De Villiers' run out in the 23rd over marked the beginning of the end for South Africa.
2022, home tour
T20i
SA beats India
June 10, 2022: The Indian Express
IND vs SA 1st T20 Highlights: David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen hit fiery half-centuries to guide South Africa to a seven-wicket win over India in the first T20 International of the five-match series on Thursday. Chasing a mammoth 212, Miller (64 not out) and Van der Dussen (75 not out)shared an unbeaten 131-run stand for the fourth wicket to take the visitors home with consummate ease. For India, Axar Patel (1/40), Bhuveneshwar Kumar (1/43) and Harshal Patel (1/43) scalped one wicket apiece. Earlier, Ishan Kishan smashed 76 off 48 balls to power India to 211/4 against South Africa in the first T20 International.
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
SA beats India again
Sourav M, June 13, 2022: The Times of India
Cuttack: In-form Quinton de Kock’s hand injury on the eve of the match ruled him out of the second T20 International at Barabati Stadium here on Sunday. And the man replacing him in the XI, Heinrich Klaasen, proved to be the class act on a two-paced wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter superbly paced his innings to score 81 off 46 balls that helped South Africa chase the target of 149 with ease and go 2-0 up in the fivematch series.
India’s total of 148 for six wickets proved to be too small to defend even on a slower track that helped the seamers throughout as the visitors reached home with 10 balls to spare, winning the match by four wickets in the end. After losing the toss to his South African counterpart Temba Bavuma on Sunday, for the second time in the ongoing T20
series, India’s stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant said India are going with the same XI that played the first match in New Delhi. Justifying the team management’s decision of going with an unchanged XI in the second T20 International here at Barabati Stadium, Pant said at the toss, “We didn’t do anything wrong in the last match. We just need to improve the execution. ”
But on Sunday evening, asked to bat first, as in the opening game of the fivematch series, the Indian batters failed to execute their shots properly. Add to that a disciplined bowling by the South Africans on a two-paced wicket and you find India managing to reach a respectable total of 148.
Senior pro Bhuvneshwar Kumar led from the front returning miserly figures of 4-13 from his quota of four overs. But his new ball partner Avesh Khan (0-17) and medi- um pacer Harshal Patel (1-17) both were bowled one over less than their quota despite bowling in good areas and not giving away easy runs. It was only because of Dinesh Karthik’s unbeaten 30 off 21 balls in the end that India reached a decent total.
Rajkot: India beat South Africa
Gaurav Gupta, June 18, 2022: The Times of India
Rajkot: After waking up late in this T20I series against South Africa, India are on a roll. Continuing their resurgence from Vizag, where they beat the visitors by 48 runs, a relentless, ruthless India, cheered on by 28,000-plus enthusiastic fans at the SCA Stadium, blew away South Africa by 82 runs in the fourth T20I to square the series after being down 0-2. India’s comeback makes them the favourites to win the final game in Bangalore and clinch the series against an increasingly vulnerable-looking SA. Riding on Dinesh Karthik’s magical 55 (27b; 9x4, 2x6) and Hardik Pandya’s 46 (31b; 3x4, 3x6), the hosts scored 169/6, a total which looked impossible when the hosts were tottering at 56/3 after the first 10 overs. Thereafter, making the ball bounce menacingly, seamer Avesh Khan, who was under pressure after having gone wicketless while conceding 87 runs in 11 overs coming into this match, produced a fiery spell, taking 4/18 off his four overs, which included 15 dot balls, to send South Africa crashing to 87 all out in just 16. 5 overs. This is SA’s lowest score in T20Is. It was a terrific comeback by the 25-year-old Avesh, who said he would dedicate the performance to his father Ashique Khan on his birthday. To add insult to injury for SA, captain Temba Bavuma didn’t come back to bat after retiring hurt following a hit on the elbow. He now looks doubtful for the series decider.
Continuing his fairytale, inspirational comeback, which began when he showed blazing form as a destructive finisher for RCB in the IPL, Karthik produced yet another masterpiece which is surely enough evidence to guarantee a ticket on the plane to Australia for the T20 World Cup. Showing that age is just a number, the 37-year old took India to total which looked impossible initially for the hosts on a wicket which wasn’t the typical Rajkot ‘road’, with the ball gripping the surface and bouncing awkwardly following a short, sharp shower just before the game commenced.
Walking in when India had slipped to 81/4 in the 13th over with their skipper Rishabh Pant (17) failing for the fourth time in the series, Karthik, who smashed his maiden T20I half-century, added 65 for the fourth wicket in just 33 balls with Hardik Pandya (46; 31b, 3x4, 3x6) in a partnership which completely changed the complexion of the game. Launching a blistering onslaught on the bewildered South African bowlers, the duo helped India plunder 73 off the last five overs, as Pandya too produced his career-best T20I score. It was an assault which left the Proteas, looking to wrap up the series here, shell shocked! Karthik isn’t someone who bludgeons the ball like the big-hitting West Indians, or a Tim David or Liam Livingstone. Using the angles smartly, he can be equally deadly while unleashing his strokeplay, sweeping, cutting and carting the Proteas bowlers to all corners of the ground.
T 20 series ends 2-2 after rain washout
Manuja.Veerappa , June 20, 2022: The Times of India
Bengaluru: The mid evening sunshine offered hope of a possible contest between India and South Africa in the decider but it turned out to be bluff and bluster as rain washed out the fifth and final contest of the T20 series.
South Africa’s stand-in skipper Keshav Maharaj invited the home team to bat. Just as the players took position on the field, the skies opened with three minutes to go for the game to start. The heavy showers lasted for about half an hour but the SubAir system at the stadium ensured a 7. 50 pm start with the reduction of one over on either side.
Ishan Kishan ensured some fireworks in the opening over when he struck consecutive maximums off Maharaj, both dispatched through midwicket. But two quick wickets of Kishan (15) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (10) and India were struggling at 28/2 in 3. 2 overs. Rishabh Pant had faced just one delivery when a steady shower brought back the covers at 8. 06 pm. With the rain showing no sign of relenting, the match was finally called off at 9. 35 pm, thus ensuring South Africa maintain their winning streak in India. The Proteas haven’t lost a series in any format in India since 2011.
The teams split the series with the visitors winning the first two matches and Indian making a commendable comeback to take the next two.
India tour of South Africa, 2023-24
ODIs
1st ODI, Johannesburg: India wins
Dec 18, 2023: The Times of India
INDIA PACERS RATTLE SA
Arshdeep And Avesh Star In Emphatic Eight-Wicket Win
Johannesburg : Pacers Arshdeep Singh bowled a dream first spell and found an ally in Avesh Khan as India thrashed South Africa by eight wickets in the first ODI. Having gone into the match without a single wicket in his previous three ODI appearances, Arshdeep made up for it with his maiden five-wicket haul as South Africa were all out for 116 in 27.3 overs. India reached the target in 16.4 overs.
Playing their first 50-over game post the World Cup final, it seemed that Arshdeep (5/37) and Avesh (4/27) had picked up a cue from seniors Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah as a quality Proteas batting line-up was made to look like novices on a track that offered a lot of help due to underlying moisture.
In reply, debutant B Sai Sudharshan (55 n.o) showed during his stay at the wicket why he is rated so highly. The southpaw looked elegant and upright while driving on the up and looked strong off the back-foot. Sai had seasoned Shreyas Iyer (52) for company.
However, the story of the day was how Indian pacers rattled South Africa. The two Indian pacers pitched it up and ensured that most of the South African batters stayed rooted to the crease. In fact, both were on hat-tricks with dismissals off successive deliveries. Arshdeep would get more credit as he blew away the top-order within the first Powerplay with four wickets and then left it to Avesh, who bowled fast and full.
It started with Reeza Hendricks (0), who dragged a delivery back onto the stumps and Rassie van de Dussen (0) must have expected an away-going one but got one that darted back from middle-stump.
Tony de Zorzi (28) chanced his arms and Mukesh Kumar, who had an off-day, went for a few before Arshdeep showed his variation by digging one short and the ball ballooned for skipper Rahul to complete an easy catch. However, the wicket that completely broke the home team’s back was Heinrich Klaasen’s (6) dismissal. The end of Powerplay didn’t end Proteas’ woes as skipper Markram played on, completely beaten for pace. David Miller (2) also fell prey to relentless pressure to a delivery pitched on drivable length while Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj found the speed of deliveries too hot to handle.
AGENCIES
2nd ODI, St George's Park in Gqeberha: South Africa wins
Dec 19, 2023: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Young opener Tony de Zorzi struck a dazzling maiden ton after an all-round show from the bowlers as South Africa thrashed India by eight wickets at St George's Park in a lop-sided encounter to level the three-match series 1-1.
After a disappointing show with the bat in the series opener in Johannesburg, the Proteas batters bounced back in style, making a mockery of a modest 212 chase.
Ton-up de Zorzi led the chase from the front with a superb unbeaten 119 and shared a record 130-run opening stand with Reeza Hendricks. The 26-year-old then added another 76 runs with Rassie van der Dussen to take the game completely away from India.
After a below-par outing with the bat, bowlers too had an off day defending 211 as India could only manage a couple of wickets.
With the Proteas convincingly winning the second game, the series goes to the decider. The final game of the ODI series will be played at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.
The 26-year-old de Zorzi, playing only his fourth ODI, smashed nine fours and six maximums during his counter-attacking 122-ball 119 not out as South Africa completed the chase with 7.3 overs to spare.
As It Happened
Put in to bat, opener B Sai Sudharsan and skipper KL Rahul made well-compiled fifties but once they were gone, India stumbled their way to 211 all out in 46.2 overs.
On a track offering pace and bounce, Burger (3/30 in 10 overs) bowled his heart out to snap three crucial wickets, while Beuran Hendricks (2/34 in 9.2 overs) and Keshav Maharaj (2/51 in 10 overs) claimed two each.
Defending the below-par total, India needed early wickets but they failed to make any breakthrough as openers de Zorzi and Hendricks (52) set the platform for the chase with a commanding 130-run stand. Once Reeza was out, de Zorzi and Rassie van der Dussen (36) added 76 off 83 to take SA to just six short of a victory.
The left-handed de Zorzi then knocked off the winning runs with a six as the hosts reached 215 for 2 in 42.3 overs. They recovered from their eight-wicket hammering in Johannesburg to keep the series alive. Chasing 212, Hendricks held on to one end, while de Zorzi played his shots as the two batters didn't give much chance to the Indians despite pace duo of Arshdeep Singh (1/28) and Mukesh Kumar (0/46) bowling a good spell in the powerplay.
The only chance that went abegging was when Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to hold a catch of Hendricks off Mukesh in the 5th over. De Zorzi reached his fifty in the 18th over before completing the century off 109 balls. Reeza, on the other hand, took 71 balls to reach his half century with the help of seven fours.
Arshdeep got rid of Reeza in the 28th over, while debutant Rinku Singh claimed van der Dussen's wicket when SA were just six runs short of the target.
Earlier, Sudharsan and Rahul added 68 runs for the third wicket but South African bowlers forced their way back into the game with regular strikes.
Gaikwad (4) was first to go when he was trapped in front in the second ball by Burger, who bowled 46 dots balls in his 10 overs.
Sudharsan was all class as he played his off drivers and pulls with ease for boundaries as India reached 46 for one in the first powerplay.
However, Tilak Varma (10) was sent back by Burger with a bouncer, bringing skipper Rahul on to the crease.
With the South African seamers bowling in tandem, runs dried up as India could score only 10 runs in next six overs from 11 to 16.
But once spinner Keshav Maharaj (2/51 in 10 overs) was introduced, Sudharsan launched him over deep mid-wicket for the first six.
In the 20th over, Sudharsan dived to complete a risky singles to complete his second successive fifty.
After a watchful start, Rahul produced two pull shots for successive boundaries off Wiaan Mulder (0/19 in 4 overs), before finding the ropes off Lizaad Williams (1/49 in 9 overs) and Aiden Markram (1/28 in 4 overs) to bring up the team 100 in the 24th over.
However, Williams broke the partnership, dismissing Sudharshan, who was a bit surprised by the extra bounce and ended up edging one to Heinrich Klaasen.
Sanju Samson then dragged one on to the stumps off Beuran Hendricks (2/34 in 9.2 overs) as India slipped to 136 for four in 32 overs.
Rahul punished Maharaj for a poor delivery with a sweep shot and then picked up three runs to complete his fifty in 60 balls, while debutant Rinku Singh danced down the pitch to send the spinner over long-on as 16 runs came off the 35th over.
Rahul then played a ramp shot for a four and just when things were looking up, it all went downhill.
First, Rahul was removed by Burger for his third wicket and then five balls later, Rinku was stumped off Maharaj's bowling as the visitors were suddenly reduced to 169 for six.
Maharaj then accounted for Kuldeep Yadav (1), while Axar Patel (7) holed out at long-off off Markram.
BCCI retires MS Dhoni’s Iconic Jersey No 7 to honour his contribution to Indian cricket
Avesh Khan (9) and Arshdeep Singh (18) then smashed a six each to take India past the 200-run mark.
(With inputs from PTI)
3rd ODI, Paarl (South Africa): India wins Paarl match; series 2-1
Dec 22, 2023: The Times of India
SANJU, INDIA’S SAMSON!
Batter’s Maiden ODI Century, Arshdeep’s 4/30 Guide India To 2-1 Series Triumph Over SA
Paarl (South Africa) : Sanju Samson carved a well-measured maiden ODI hundred as India posted a challenging 296/8 against South Africa in the series-deciding third match. Samson (108 off 114 balls) found a perfect sidekick in the patient Tilak Varma, who struck his first ODI fifty (52 off 77 balls). The pair milked 116 precious runs for the fourth-wicket to place India in a position to win this series. Samson and Varma came together when India were slightly wobbling at 101/3 after being asked to bat first.
A stellar bowling and fielding effort by the visitors helped them bowl South Africa out for 218 in 45.5 over as they won the match by 78 runs runs and the three-match series 2-1. Pacer Arshdeep Singh (4/30) and spinner Washington Sundar (2/38) were the stars with the ball. For the hosts, Tony de Zorzi, who had struck his maiden ODI hundred in the last game, topscored with 81 off 87 balls. However, he did not get any significant support from other batters.
The pair showed excellent situational awareness. Their partnership was all about pragmatism, without letting go of any opportunity to unfurl any big shot. Usually a free-flowing hitter, Samson shelved his macho intentions for a large part of his innings, concentrating on singles and twos as the pitch also had this bite on it. But the right-hander intermittently brought out his T20 avatar into play like when he smashed pacer Nandre Burger for a big six or while executing an exquisite inside-out loft over cover off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a four.
His fifty came off 66 balls with a single to third man off pacer Beuran Hendricks. But at the other end, Varma generally struggled for flow as he could find a boundary only in his 39th ball, a scratchy pull off Hendricks. However, the left-hander gave company to Samson to take India out of the woods. After Varma fell in his venture to accelerate, Samson carried on and was not to be denied a hundred this time. The landmark moment for him came when he pushed Maharaj to long-off for a single as the dressing room went on its feet to applaud a fine dig. Samson was dismissed as he tried to up the ante as a skier off pacer Lizaad Williams was snaffled by Reeza Hendricks inside the rings. However, a cameo by Rinku Singh (38 off 27 balls) helped India motor on in the end phase of the innings. But before India made that good fightback, the Proteas bowlers had them on the ropes, taking three quick wickets. PTI
T20Is
Gqeberha: South Africa Beats India
Dec 12, 2023: The Times of India
Rinku, Surya Half-Centuries In Vain As SA Win Weather-Hit 2nd T20I By 5 Wkts
Gqeberha : Rinku Singh enhanced his credential as a finisher with a maiden half-century while skipper Suryakumar Yadav played in his inimitable way to take India to 180/7 in 19.3 overs before rain interrupted the second T20I against South Africa.
The total, however, proved inadequate as South Africa, set a revised 152 to win in 15 overs, cantered to the target with 5 wickets remaining and 7 balls to spare.
Earlier, put in to bat, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for six runs before Surya (56 off 36) led from the front and forged a fine partnerships with Tilak Varma (29 off 20) and then Rinku (68 not out off 39).
Rain arrived at St. George’s Park with three balls left in the innings and Gerald Coetzee on a hat-trick, having dismissed Ravindra Jadeja and Arshdeep Singh off consecutive deliveries.
Playing for the first time in South Africa, Rinku took his time initially before working the field beautifully. His square-of-the-wicket shots stood out in his well-paced innings, as did some fours and two sixes off Aiden Markram. Coming in at No. 3, Varma looked good in the middle before getting caught at deep third man in the sixth over.
What followed was a 70-run stand between Surya and Rinku. Surya played like he usually does, collecting a chunk of his runs behind the wicket. His three sixes came as he got inside the line of the ball to send the ball over the ropes. Two were in the fine leg region and one over midwicket.
It was not the smoothest of starts for India, who lost Jaiswal and Gill in the first two overs. Jaiswal could not control the cut shot against Marco Jansen and was brilliantly caught by David Miller at backward point.
Varma could have departed in similar fashion two balls later but Miller could not hold on to that sharp chance. PTI
BRIEF SCORES: India 180/7 in 19.3 overs (R Singh 68*, S Yadav 56; Coetzee 3/32) lost to SA 154/5 in 13.5 overs (R Hendricks 49, A Markram 30; Mukesh 2/34).
Johannesburg: India wins
Dec 15, 2023: The Times of India
Johannesburg : Suryakumar Yadav exploited a bone-dry surface to make a scorching ton (100 off 56b; 7x4, 8x6) as India scored 201/7 before their spinners got into the act to fashion a big 106-run win in the 3rd T20I.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5/17 off 2.5 overs) again stood out with the ball while his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja — who also had to chip in with captaincy duties after Surya turned his ankle while fielding — took 2/25 as the hosts col lapsed for 95 in only 13.5 overs, allowing India to level the series. Pacers Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh too did their bit with regular strikes with the new ball, pegging SA back early in the chase. It was a surprisingly ordinary batting display from the hosts, with only a stoic 35 off 25 balls from David Miller being the exception before he too was cleaned up by Kuldeep.
Trailing 0-1 in the series, India needed a win here to survive in the series and they showed all the necessary intensity after South Africa asked them to bat first. Surya and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (60 off 41 balls) trusted the bounce on the Wanderers pitch to produce some sparkling shots while adding 112 runs for the third wicket. India were quick off the blocks but SA hit back through Keshav Maharaj, who took two wickets in as many balls to get rid of Gill and Tilak Surya pulled those 360-degree shots out of the shelf to punish the SA bowlers, who lacked the variety needed to tame him. Scores: Ind 201/7 in 20 overs (Surya 100) bt SA 95 in 13.5 overs (Kuldeep 5/17) by 106 runs. AGENCIES
Tests
1st Test, SuperSport Park, Centurion: South Africa wins
Amit Karmarkar, Dec 29, 2023: The Times of India
From: Amit Karmarkar, Dec 29, 2023: The Times of India
RED BALL, RED FACES!
India Surrender Tamely In 3 Days, Suffer Their Worst Defeat On SA Soil As Hosts Ride On Super Show From Pacers To Win Centurion Test By An Innings & 32 Runs
Bye-bye supposed final frontier, welcome post-mortem. The South African batsmen applied themselves better against the below-par Indian bowling attack. And then Rohit Sharma and Co. collapsed to 131 all out in their second innings inside 35 overs when they needed 163 runs to force the hosts to bat again. South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 32 runs that lasted about 210 overs at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
India’s batsmen showed they were not good enough to take this match into the fourth day. Eyeing their first-ever Test series win in the Rainbow Nation, now they can at best draw this two-Test series.
South Africa got 152-4 in 42.4 overs on the day. Virat Kohli got 76 off 86 balls and other nine Indian wickets contributed a mere 47 in 20-odd overs.
Two dismissals via two superb balls and their implications underlined the importance of timing. When Bumrah cartwheeled Rabada’s off-stump with a ball that angled in and zipped away, it was too late to have any significant impact on the tone of the match. SA had already crossed 390 runs by then. On the other hand, Rabada clipping Rohit Sharma’s offstump set the tone. It was the seventh time Rabada had removed Rohit in Tests. South Africa had taken a decisive step to winning the Test by clinching the 150-minute first session, getting 135-2 in 34 overs and setting up a platform to bat India out of the game. Led by Dean Elgar’s big hundred (185; 287b, 28x4s), South Africa accumulated 408.
With the pitch offering something for the pacemen, Indian bowlers were expected to fare better. The absence of Shami, the inexperience of debutant Prasidh Krishna (only 12 first-class games before his Test debut) and the part-time quality of medium pacer Shardul Thakur was apparent. India could not put together even decent patches of energy, effort and imagination.
South Africa amassed almost 60 per cent of their runs in boundaries (55x4s, 4x6s). Changing gears and remaining unaffected even if he got beaten was the hallmark of stand-in captain Elgar’s knock. He was not entirely in control in his 425-minute vigil, but he forged three 90-plus partnerships: with de Zorzi, David Bedingham and Marco Jansen (84*, 147b, 11x4s, 1x6).
Elgar’s robustness stood out when he punched, drove and pulled. But he was careful enough to use soft hands when needed. His 111-run sixth wicket association with Jansen deflated India.
When India started their second innings, Aiden Markram at second slip had offered Yashaswi Jaiswal (5) a birthday gift by grassing him off the first ball. But the lefthanded opener could not take the opportunity. He managed to glove debutant left-arm seamer Nandre Burger (4-33) to get out caught behind.
Shubman Gill mistimed a pull, hit a glorious cover-drive before playing across the line to a fullish ball and got his stumps disturbed. Gill had earlier dropped Coetzee’s reverse sweep in the first slip off Ashwin. Shreyas Iyer did not learn from Gill’s dismissal and played left-armer Jansen all over. Kohli fought from one end and didn’t hold himself back despite wickets falling in a heap. A six off Coetzee over point was the highlight. Burger lured first-innings centurion Rahul to a drive after four dot balls and got him caught at second slip. Then he had Ashwin caught at gully next ball.
Bumrah getting run-out, strolling for the second run, underlined India’s cluelessness and capitulation.
