On This Day 2000 – South Africa become first visiting side to clinch Test series in India after 13 years

Mar 6, 2023

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South Africa are one of the top teams in the cricketing world. In every format, this team has boasted of producing some great talents and legends, who have been outstanding servants of the game. After being banned from the game for 21 long years due to apartheid issues within the country, the Proteas roared back to the game and has been proving their mettle ever since.

India have had their share of tough times against the rainbow nation. And on March 6, in 2000, South Africa became the first touring team to clinch a Test series on Indian soil, after thirteen long years.

South Africa were touring India for a two-match Test series. After claiming victory in the first Test by four wickets, the Proteas were more than ready and confident to win the second-Test as well, and cause a whitewash.

In the second Test, India won the toss and opted to bowl. Captain Sachin Tendulkar’s decision quickly seemed to backfire, as the hosts were bundled out for a below-par 158 in their first innings. Lower-order batter Anil Kumble was India’s top-scorer, remaining unbeaten on 36 off 95 deliveries. For South Africa, Shaun Pollock, Nantie Hayward and Nicky Boje shared six wickets amongst themselves.

South Africa in their first innings came completely well-equipped to bat. Albeit, surprisingly none of them scored a century, but majority of the batters contributed handsomely. Starting with Gary Kirsten with a 79 off 209 balls, the middle-order completely took on the Indian bowling. Nicky Boje (85 off 198), Jacques Kallis (95 off 359), Daryll Cullinan (53 off 86) and Lance Klusener (97 off 169) catapulted South Africa’s first innings total to a mammoth 479.

This total proved to be too much for India in their second innings. Though Mohammad Azharuddin was the only warrior, scoring an outstanding 102 off 170. But in was in vain as India kept losing wickets to eventually fold for 250.

South Africa thus won the second Test convincingly by an innings and 71 runs and also sealed the series 2-0, effecting a whitewash. They thus became the first visiting team to claim a Test series in India after thirteen long years.

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