5 Classic encounters between India and South Africa

India and South Africa will lock horns after a long time in a bilateral series. The last time they met, was in the subcontinent and the visitors were put through a trial by spin and they fell flat on the face. The series ended in despair for the Proteas as they also lost their numero uno status in the format as well.

They won the subsequent ODI series but the heartbreaking losses in whites haunted them and they would be itching to give it back to the now number 1 team in the Test format currently. However, the current Indian team looks set to challenge the strong bowling-up of the hosts and the series is expected to be closely fought.

Over the years both the teams have been involved in some memorable encounters that have gone down the wire or either of the teams has come up victorious unexpectedly. The players share mutual respect but when they stride out to the middle they show that there is no love lost between them. They fight for their country and try their level best to come up trumps against the other side. Similarly, India and South Africa have played a few great matches at home and away.

Here we recall those classic encounters ahead of the three-match Test series:

1. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22, 2013

The first Test of the two-match series is fondly remembered as South Africa were on the cusp of history on the final day chasing a huge total. After winning the toss, the visitors failed to post a big total on the board and could score only 280 despite the century from Virat Kohli. In response, South Africa were caught off-guard by India’s bowling and were bundled out for 244 with the pace battery getting their act together to stun the hosts.

India then attacked and took the game away from the depleted bowling attack of the hosts. They scored 421 in their second innings and set an improbable target of 458 for the home side with more than four sessions to go.

Very few would’ve given them a chance to chase down the total and it was only a matter of time after they lost 4 wickets under 200 runs. But the duo of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had different ideas who stitched a partnership of 205 runs and came within touching distance of the victory in the dying stages of the final day. Both the batsmen notched up their respective centuries but were dismissed at the wrong time for their side. They were still the favourites with three wickets in hand, but MS Dhoni, the Indian skipper, set all the fielders on the boundary lines to avoid the defeat in the final over of the day with 8 runs required.

Dale Steyn played out that over to avoid any last minute drama and the thriller was ended in a draw. Frankly, no team deserved to lose but South Africa won the hearts for almost chasing down a huge total but unfortunately, they were left stranded on 450/7. This test cricket match is still remembered as one of the best whenever the encounters of India and South Africa are recalled.