Despite numerous tries, team India hasn’t conquered South Africa in Test matches yet. Even after participating in eight Test series after South Africa re-joined cricket, India hasn’t clinched a single series win in South Africa. The Proteas claimed victory in seven of these series. In the 2010-2011 series, neither team could secure a clear victory and the series concluded as a draw with each team winning one game.
Looking at the stats for 23 Test matches held in South Africa, India has secured victory in only four games. South Africa took twelve games while the rest were draws.
India’s cricket team is gearing up for a test series in South Africa as part of the WTC cycle. Two games are lined up, beginning in Centurion’s SuperSport Park on Boxing Day, followed by the annual New Year Test starting January 3, 2024, in Cape Town’s Newlands.
The challenge is high for India’s debut win in a South African Test series. A key strategy is their robust batting line-up. Still, the spotlight is also on their bowlers – hoping to skillfully adapt to South Africa’s unique pitches during the series.
Let’s now turn our attention to India’s top three wicket-takers in South African Test matches.
1. Anil Kumble (45 wickets)
Usually, South Africa’s pitches favor fast bowlers. So, it’s unexpected to find Anil Kumble at the top. This spin bowler, amazingly, took 45 Test wickets in South Africa – a record for an Indian in Tests there.
Those 45 wickets span four series from 1992-1993 to 2006-2007. Kumble played 12 Tests there, averaging 32.02 per wicket.
At the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Kumble particularly shone. There, he snatched 17 wickets over 3 Tests, averaging 16 per wicket. His career-best of 6-53 was recorded at this very stadium in 1992.
2. Javagal Srinath (43 wickets)
The former Indian pacer had pleasure in his bowling in South Africa, where he amassed 43 wickets in Test matches.
Srinath participated in three Test series journeys to South Africa with the Indian squad, participating in eight Test matches throughout those trips. South Africa has been the scene of three of his eleven five-wicket hauls.
The South African surfaces were ideal for Srinath’s style of bowling, but during the course of three visits, the visitors were unable to win a single Test in South Africa due to the lack of another elite pacer when he was a member of Team India.
In 2001, at St. George’s Park, Srinath performed excellently. He took six South African wickets, totaling 6-76 over 30 rounds. The second innings got him two more wickets, but no match outcome.
Among Indian pacers in South Africa, Srinath found the most success. His 25.28 average there stands above his general career average of 30.49.
3. Mohammed Shami (35 wickets)
India’s star bowler thrives in South Africa. He’s bagged 35 wickets over three tours, across eight Tests. The average? Impressive – 23.33, including two instances of taking five wickets in a single game.
But sad news, cricket fans. An upcoming two-game Test series against South Africa will be lacking this powerhouse. Mohammed Shami absence is a major letdown for team India. His records shine at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, being the first Test’s location. Over just two Tests there, he has gathered up 13 wickets, averaging just 16.46 runs per wicket. Drop by the Newlands in Cape Town and you’ll see more of his talent – seven wickets snagged with an average of 22.14 runs per wicket.
