The Indian team plays yet another high-profile series against South Africa starting next month, which involves 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and 2 Tests. The white-ball format is fine, but it is the Tests that India would be looking to win, as South Africa is the only place where we have never won a series if we talk about SENA countries.
Let’s start with England first. Since 1932, India has played 19 away series against them, and won three, with their first win coming in 1971. Back then, India had beaten them at the Oval in the third Test. The second series win came in 1986 when India beat England 2-0, and the third came in 2007 when India emerged victorious 1-0 in the Pataudi Trophy.
Against Australia in Australia, India has a better record, as they have beaten the Kangaroos the last two times, in their backyard. These series’ were in 2018/19 and 2020/21, while before that India had never won any series in Australia despite trying 11 times since 1947.
Next, India in New Zealand could not have been a better script. In their first away series against the Kiwis in 1967/68, India won 3-1. But thereafter, India won their next series only in 2008/09. So overall, in 10 attempts in New Zealand, they have two series wins.
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Team India’s Test Wins in South Africa
The worst is reserved for the last. Forget a series win, India has only won four Tests in South Africa, with their first win coming only in 2006/07. The closest India has come to winning a series was a 1-1 draw in 2010/11, but apart from that it has always been a lopsided result. Despite some great Indian teams touring the nation, the Proteas have always found the answers.
India’s Batting Woes in South Africa
Traditionally an excellent batting side, Indian batsmen have always struggled in South Africa. So much so, that India has never crossed the 500-run mark in an innings there. In the 23 Tests India has played there, India’s highest team total has been 459, in the 2010/11 series, during the 1st Test in Centurion. Overall, the score has been breached only four times, and never in the same series.
Golden Chance in 2023/24 to Change Record
India announced the Test squad for the South Africa series on Thursday, and a few new names were added to the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who averages 88 in two Tests, has been included, and so has been T20I star Ruturaj Gaikwad. Shreyas Iyer has been brought back to the setup, with Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as wicket-keepers. Bowling remains strong as ever with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pack, along with Mohammed Shami, and Siraj. Two spinners, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja complete the team.
India squad for South Africa Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd. Shami*, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna.
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