5 most interesting Test matches between India and South Africa

2. First Test in 1996-97 series at Durban:

The first test of the three-Test series was played at Kingsmead, Durban, between 26^th and 28^th December, 1996. The five-day match got over in just three days time.

India was greeted with sheer pace and bounce for which they were highly underprepared.

Led by Sachin Tendulkar, India won the toss and chose to field. A great batting display by the opener, Andrew Hudson (80, 288m, 191b, 12*4) and supported by Brian McMillan (34, 128m, 99b, 2*4), debutant Adam Bacher (25, 109m, 73b, 3*4, 1*6), wicket-keeper David Richardson (24, 40m, 31b, 4*4) and Shaun Pollock (23*, 94m, 47b, 3*4), the Proteas piled up 235 runs in their first innings.

Venkatesh Prasad caused the maximum damage, picking up 5 wickets, giving away 60 runs in his spell of 19 overs.

Javagal Srinath (20-7-36-2) and David Johnson (15-2-52-2) also shared the spoils

Indian batsmen had a torrid time facing the likes of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock on the bouncy tracks and could hardly put the bat to the ball.

The entire team got out scoring just 100 runs in their first innings, with Sourav Ganguly (16, 80m, 45b, 1*4), being the highest scorer. The innings lasted just 39.1 overs.

Allan Donald ripped through the ‘supposedly’ strong Indian batting line-up with the likes of Woorkeri Venkat Raman, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohd Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid.

Donald picked up 5 wickets, giving away just 40 runs in his spell of 16 overs. Pollock had a figure of 8-2-18-2.

With a lead of 135 runs, South Africa went to notch up another 259 runs in their second innings. Andrew Hudson (52, 166m, 97b, 8*4), Adam Bacher (55, 129m, 101b, 9*4) and Brian McMillan (51*, 96m, 54b, 3*4, 3*6) were the main contributors.

Again Venkatesh Prasad came up with a wonderful bowling display, picking up another ‘5-wicket’ haul in his spell of 25 overs, giving away 93 runs.

Srinath also followed up with his first innings performance and came up with the figure of 23-5-80-3 while Kumble returned 11-3-26-2.

Prasad had a very impressive match figure of 44-10-153-10. This was his only ‘ten-wicket’ haul in his entire career.

Faced with an uphill task of chasing a target of 395 runs to win the match in six and quarter sessions, India could last only for 34.1 overs putting up just 66 runs on the board. Only Rahul Dravid (27, 120m, 73b, 5*4) could reach the double digit.

Donald and Pollock virtually ran through the batting line-up and the Indian batsmen hardy had any reply to the venom spewed by the bowlers.

South Africa went onto win the match by a huge margin of 328 runs and went up 1-0 in the series.

For his contribution of 132 runs in the two innings, Andrew Hudson was adjudged the Player of the Match.