South Africa has always been a difficult country for India. After the test series, India and South Africa both are ready for ODIs which will start from 19th January at Paarl. KL Rahul will lead the Indian team and Temba Bavuma will lead the Proteas. Last time India won the 6 match ODI series by 5-1 in 2017-18 under Virat’s captaincy. In this article, we will see the top 5 ODI wins of India against Proteas in South Africa.
#5 Centurion – 1992
In 1992 of India’s tour of South Africa in 3rd ODI at Centurion South Africa batted first and Indian bowlers restricted proteas on 214. It was only Andrew Hudson who scored 87 for South Africa but unfortunately, his innings went into vain as Indian opener Woorkeri Raman played a 114 runs knock in 148 balls which led India to victory in that match.
#4 Cape Town – 2011
In the 3rd ODI at Cape Town in five-match ODI series, India defeated South Africa in a very close match by 2 wickets with only 10 balls remaining. Yusuf Pathan was given the player of the match for his all-around performance for India. Pathan made 59 runs and also took 1 wicket. South Africa made 220 while batting first with JP Duminy and Faf Du Plessis crucial knocks and in return, India chased down the target but it was not an easy job for Indians as they lost half of their batting order on just a score of 93 but Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Rains took the team to victory.
#3 Durban – 2018
In 2018 when India visited South Africa, they played 6 match ODI series which was won by India by 5-1.and the first ODI at Durban started India’s victory as Kohli led the Indian side to win the match by 6 wickets. South Africa while batting first made 269 runs with a captain knock from Faf Du Plessis of 120 runs. But then came the Indian batting with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan departed early but Virat who was in his prime at that time played a brilliant knock of 112 runs and Ajinkya Rahane who also play 79 runs crucial knock helped India to register a great win.
#2 Centurion – 2001
It was the 3rd ODI match between India and South Africa of the 2001-02 triangular series at Centurion. India won the gamey 41 runs and outplayed the proteas. Harbhajan was awarded the player of the match for his 3/27 bowling figure. India batted first and made a decent target of 233 runs with important contributions from Rahul Dravid, Sehwag, and Yuvraj. In return, Indian bowlers dismissed proteas in 192.
#1 Johannesburg – 2011
In the 2011 India tour of South Africa in the 2nd ODI India registered their greatest win on South African soil against Proteas. Munaf Patel was named as the player of the match for his exceptional 4/29 bowling figure. India batted first and made a weak target of 191.
Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni build the target which can be a decent one for the visitors. Then came the turn of South Africa to bat and they were very comfortable as they lost only 3 wickets at 150 but it was Munaf Patel’s brilliance that held India to victory. The turning point of the match was Graeme Smith’s wicket which was taken by Patel. South Africa was dismissed on 189 and India won the game by only 1 run.
