Stats from the past: Indian bowlers have dominated their South African counterparts since their first tour in 1992

In 1992, Team India, under Mohammad Azharuddin captaincy, created history by becoming the first cricket team to tour South Africa post-apartheid. Unfortunately, this happens to be Team India’s only achievement on the South African soil as they have never won a Test series during their visit to the African nation.

Team India have so far played 17 Test matches in South Africa and won twice, while South Africa won 8 times. 7 matches ended in a draw.

Team India is now again touring the African nation, this time under Virat Kohli’s leadership and sans bigwigs like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in the batting line-up and Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath in the bowling department.

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In the past, besides Sachin Tendulkar, no other batsman has surpassed 1000 run-mark on African soil. Indian batsmen always struggled with pace and bounce that South African bowlers produced.

Team India always relied on their batting strength in matches they played in India and abroad. While on home grounds, Indian batsmen have several records under their belt which might remain intact in the near future, but in foreign conditions, Indian batsmen failed on several occasion to perform up to their potential.

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Indian team’s inability to tackle swing, bounce and pace is the reason behind their failure in overseas tours. But, surprisingly, Indian bowlers did well during their tours to South Africa. Former Indian captain and spinner Anil Kumble is the most successful bowler till now on the South African soil.

Anil Kumble played 12 matches in South Africa and he picked up 45 wickets. Another former Indian bowler Javagal Srinath is at No 2 with 43 scalps in 8 matches he played. Former South African pacer Allan Donald is at No 3 with 40 wickets in his kitty.

Let’s look at some of the stats:

INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA IN SOUTH AFRICA – MOST WICKETS

(STATS ESPNCRICINFO)

During this tour, Indian bowlers will hold the key to Team India’s success on African soil. Former pacer Javagal Srinath has opined that this is the best fast bowling combination in India at the moment.

On adapting to the red Kookaburra ball, Srinath said that the sooner the bowlers adapt, the better it would be for them.

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Captain Virat Kohli is confident that the current Indian side is much better than the past and they will create history by winning a Test series. Team India is currently the No 1 Test team in ICC rankings and South Africa is at No 2.

Team India will play three Test matches starting January 5 in Cape Town. Besides Tests, Virat Kohli & Co will play 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is.