SK Flashback: Revisiting India's unsuccessful attempts to conquer South Africa
India have arrived in South Africa to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is during a 56-day long tour. They have toured South Africa six times since 1992 and has never won a series there. This tour is shaping up to be Virat Kohli's most challenging assignment as India captain thus far.
India have won every Test series they have played since August 2015. They are currently the number one team in ICC's Test rankings. The visitors are in a position to justify their top spot by breaking their jinx on South African soil.
While the Indian team is preparing for the first test match, which is five days away, let us look back the previous six Indian tours of South Africa.
#6 1992/93: South Africa won 1-0
India was the first team to tour South Africa following the latter's readmission into cricket. They started the tour on a positive note by restricting the hosts to 254 runs in the first innings and taking a 23-run lead with the help of Pravin Amre's brilliant century. However, rain interruption resulted in the match ending in a draw.
The second match of the series was a close game. Chasing a fourth innings target of 318, India scored 141 for 4 in 82 overs and played out a draw. Sachin Tendulkar stole the limelight by scoring a brilliant hundred in the visitors' first innings. Anil Kumble bowled brilliantly and took six wickets in South Africa's second innings.
In the third Test, India squandered a chance to win the game by choking in the second innings. Allan Donald demolished their lineup with a seven-wicket haul and turned the match in South Africa's favour. Kapil Dev played one of the best innings of his career as he scored 129 runs out of India's 215 in the third innings of the match. South Africa chased the victory target of 155 with ease.
The fourth test ended on a dull draw as both the teams scored at just two runs per over. Javagal Srinath won the man of the match award for 2/51 and 4/33. The general opinion was that India could have pushed for a result in the must-win encounter. It was a closely fought series and South Africa edged out India by a slender 1-0 margin.