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Top 5 Test Innings Played by Indian Batters in South Africa

7 months ago
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Top Indian Innings in South Africa

As the Indian Men’s Cricket Team is touring South Africa, let us revisit some of our Indian batsmen’s best innings. South Africa always remains a challenge for Indians, and they have never won a test series on the soil of proteas. These five innings were picked up based on the match situation, hostile pitch and quality of the bowling attack. 

1 – Rahul Dravid’s Gritty 148 runs in 1997 at Wanderers 

On a bouncy pitch at Wanderers, Rahul Dravid played a gritty knock against the likes of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Brian McMillian, Lance Klusener, Paul Adams and Hansie Cronje. He faced 362 balls and forged crucial partnerships with the tailenders to post a first innings score 410. In the second innings, he scored a valiant 81, an effort that ended in drawing the match, which also fetched him the Man of the Match.

2 – VVS Laxman’s 96 in 2010 at Durban

In 2010 VVS Laxman’s defiant Knock of 96 against quality bowling attack like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Jacques Kallis was memorable. The Durban pitch was difficult to handle for any batsman. Except, swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag nobody touched even 30 runs. The crucial second innings of VVS Laxman aided India to set a formidable target close to 300 runs, and eventually, India won by 87 runs. His innings helped India to level the Series 1-1.

3 – Kapil Dev’s Incredible 129 in 1992 at Port Elizabeth

When the team was struggling at 27/5 and on the cusp of innings defeat, Kapil Dev played an incredible counter-attack innings of 129 in just 180 deliveries. Even though India lost the match, the innings of Kapi Dev is one of the best innings played by an Indian batter in South Africa. In a lively pitch facing a lethal hostile bowling attack, Kapil played outstanding drives and strokes.

4 – Sachin Tendulkar’s 169 runs in 1997 at Cape Town 

After a humiliating 328-run defeat in Durban, the Indian team moved to Cape Town, seeking redemption. When India was reduced to 58/5 in their first innings, Tendulkar attempted to save India by playing a sensible innings of 169 runs in 254 balls. His innings came against an attack of Donald, Pollock, McMillan and Klusener. However, Sachin’s heroics went in vain as India lost the match. 

5 – Virat Kohli’s 119 in 2013 at Johannesburg

When the cricket fraternity asked who would fill Sachin Tendulkar’s big shoes, Virat Kohli answered through his bat in South Africa. His quintessential masterclass of 119 in the first innings and 96 in the second innings helped India avoid defeat and draw the match at Wanderers. Albeit fast bowlers came strongly on pace assisting pitch, Kohli stood against the storm. Kohli proved to his critics that he can play a brilliant knock even on a foreign pitch. 

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