Revision as of 07:52, 27 December 2015

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

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’s victories: 2010-13

Some facts, The Times of India

An analysis of the 10 India- South Africa ODI matches with results preceding February 2015, The Times of India

World Cup 2015

The Times of India

India versus South Africa: 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.