Five most memorable overseas Test wins for India in the 21st century

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At the turn of the century, Indian cricket was in shambles. Following the match-fixing saga and with Sachin Tendulkar stepping down from captaincy after the home series loss to South Africa in early 2000, Sourav Ganguly was handed over the reins of the team. His immediate task was to instil a winning attitude and aggression in the team that was vastly considered 'soft' on overseas tours. 

India hadn't won an overseas Test in the preceding decade, but Ganguly, blessed with an astute eye to spot talent and superlative man management skills helped develop a core of players (Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, MS Dhoni) who went on to script many memorable overseas Test wins for India in the 21st century.

Here's a look at five memorable overseas Test wins for India in the 21st Century.

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#5 South Africa vs India, Johannesburg 2006

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It took 15 years and 3 winless tours for India before they could finally register their first win on South African soil. The Rahul Dravid-led team defeated South Africa by 123 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The match marked the comeback of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who played a crucial innings of 51, pushing India's total to 249.

Then, Sreesanth (5/40) bowled one of the best spells ever bowled by an Indian bowler overseas to knock over South Africa for 84. India, with the help of VVS Laxman (73), could only manage 236 in the second innings, leaving South Africa 401 runs to win. A valiant effort by Ashwell Prince in the second innings was not enough as South Africa capitulated against the duo of Zaheer and Sreesanth who claimed three wickets each to hand India one of their most famous win overseas.

India 249 (Sourav Ganguly 51, Shaun Pollock 4/39) & 236 (VVS Laxman 73, Shaun Pollock 3/33) beat South Africa 84 (Ashwell Prince 24, Sreesanth 5/40) & 278 (Ashwell Pince 97, Anil Kumble 3/54) by 123 runs.

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