Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs: South Africa have dominated India when it comes to ODIs, they have won 42 out of the 71 games played between the two nations, they will definitely have the upper hand going into series having all their bases covered.

India on the other hand while sitting ducks away (winning only 13 out of 35 matches played away from home, have been able to resist the South African charge at home winning 13 of the 23 games these two sides have played in India.

Irrespective of the record, both teams have contributed to a lot of classics and mouth-watering ties.

Let us take a look at Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs:

5. C.A.B Cup Semi-Final, 1993: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskHKKvcCPg

In the year 1993, the Proteas were relatively new to ODI cricket, they were only in their 3rd year of their return to International Cricket from their cricket exile and they had a point or two to prove. Their return was brilliant, semi-finalists in their first ever world cup and they probably would’ve gone on to win it had the rain gods shown some mercy.

India had won the toss and chose to bat. However, they could only manage to score 195 in their 50 overs with the help of Captain Azharuddin who scored 90 and some support from Pravin Amre. Sachin scored a paltry 15, something people would generally overlook.

SA too had a start-stop chase with a fifty from Andrew Hudson at the top of the order and then 48* by Brian McMillan who came in at No. 6. No other batsman contributed much which took SA to 190/8 in 49 overs.

SA needed 6 off the last over with 2 wickets to spare and the captain Azharuddin had both Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath at his disposal, however, he chose to go with Sachin to bowl the 50th over. Sachin until that point hadn’t bowled a single ball in the game, immense pressure in front of the boisterous Eden Gardens crowd for a 20-year-old one would’ve thought. What followed next was truly amazing. India won by 2 runs, Sachin gave away only 3 runs making it probably the best over he ever bowled in an ODI. A gamble that truly paid off, Sachin who for the years to come would weave magic with his bat, that day won the game with the ball. This game was another semi-final where South Africa had lost the plot, something that they have been doing ever since.

4. ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35382" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg" alt="ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: India vs South Africa" width="412" height="308" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35382" class="wp-caption-text">(© Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT via Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the year 2000, when South Africa met India in the semi-final of the ICC Knockout Trophy, it was an emotional game. A lot had happened that year, the match-fixing scandal involving both their previous captains. There was a lot of pressure on the players as a lot was talked about the things off the field rather than the game itself. However, once the game started, everything else was put to rest.

India had won the toss and as most captains would do in big games, Saurav Ganguly, chose to bat. Leading from the front, he scored a brilliant unbeaten century at almost run-a-ball (141 off 142 balls). With contributions from Sachin, Dravid, and a young Yuvraj Singh, India went on to score an imposing total of 295. For those who missed out on cricket in the 90s and early 2000s, anything close to 300 back then was mammoth.

South Africa crumbled under pressure yet again, losing wickets at regular intervals; they were hardly in the hunt. Boucher played the lone hand scoring a 60, without any support from the top order, it was hardly ever going to be a challenge. India won the game by 95 runs while SA crashed out, India went on to the finals, only to lose against the Kiwis, in what is still the only major competition New Zealand have won.

3. India’s tour of South Africa, 2011:

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35378" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg" alt="India’s tour of South Africa, 2011" width="409" height="286" sizes="(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35378" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption>

When India toured South Africa in 2006-07, they were white-washed 4-0 in the ODI series and went on to give their most dismal performance in a World Cup in the Caribbean a few months later. They didn’t want to repeat the same mistake again, as they wanted to get everything sorted before the 2011 World Cup in their own backyard.

India won the toss and elected to bat. Their innings never really took off, the lack of any substantial contribution from the top 3 left India at 67/3. Yuvraj and Dhoni, who were India’s middle order’s pillars played yet another match saving innings. They stuck together and added 83 runs where Yuvraj struck a calm, under pressure fifty. He departed when the score was 150 post which there were hardly any contributions and India were bundled out for a below-par 190 runs.

South Africa, like India, had an indifferent start. Graeme Smith led from the front, notwithstanding the wickets falling around him, he scored a brilliant 77. He had ensured that the game was South Africa’s at 152/4, South Africa were on course for yet another victory against India and a 2-0 lead in the series, however, on the 1st ball of the 33rd over, Smith in the pursuit to push the ball through the covers, dragged the ball onto his stumps. Smith’s dismissal changed the game, India sensed that they could win. Zaheer Khan’s 2 quick wickets and an uncalled for run-out had SA tottering at 178/8. Some sensible batting by Wayne Parnell got them close to victory. SA now needed only 3 runs off 48 deliveries with two wickets remaining, something that you’d get 9 times out of 10. But Munaf Patel had different plans, he got those 2 wickets in similar fashion and conceded only 1 run, winning the match for India. It was a famous win for India as they had fought it out till the last ball and won by the narrowest of margins. That game was a good practice for the things to come in the World Cup that would follow the series.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-12899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg" alt="hot battles of the Gandhi-Mandela" width="405" height="246" sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12899" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

When these two sides met in the 2015 World Cup on February 22, India had a point to prove as they had never beaten South Africa in the World Cup. India had been in Australia since November 2014 and managed only won one international game in 10 tries. SA were favorites to win the title while not much was expected of the Indian team owing to their mediocre show during the test series and the triangular series that preceded the World Cup.

India won the toss and batted first. Rohit Sharma played out a beautiful first over maiden by Dale Steyn. Sharma looked focussed, not committing himself to the moving ball, I told myself, he would score big today. Alas, he was, unfortunately, run-out the very next over by none other the Maverick AB De Villiers. The initial stutter, however, was quickly forgotten as Kohli and Dhawan stitched a beautiful partnership which put India in the driver’s seat. Dhawan went on to score a century and Kohli missed out, falling for 46. However, an aggressive Rahane made sure India’s innings was on track. He played glorious strokes, including that stunning six over Morne Morkel’s head, something I won’t forget for the rest of my life. The top order scored he€avily as India went on to score 307 at the massive MCG. However, with AB De Villiers in the opposite team, is any score ever safe?

SA didn’t have a great start, losing both their openers early. Faf Du Plessis and De Villiers put a sedate partnership but with De Villiers at the crease, SA would always fancy their chances. 20 overs were done, something had to give, De Villiers looked impenetrable, every Indian fan watching the game was tensed and then it happened. A brilliant Mohit Sharma throw that ran out De Villiers. Sharma would go on to take many wickets in the tournament but for me, THAT throw would always supersede any of those wickets. It the game in India favour and from that point onwards, it was one way traffic, India went on to win the game in an emphatic fashion, beating SA by 130 runs.

India and SA both went on to reach the semi-finals but were beaten by their respective hosts.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35380" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="India vs South Africa 2011 World Cup" width="418" height="297" sizes="(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35380" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption>

This is easily the best India vs South Africa game I have ever seen. On 12th March 2011 when India met South Africa, at the VCA Stadium Nagpur, the crowd expected nothing less than a humdinger. It was 20 days into the World Cup, it was moving towards its business end and all the games were crucial. This would in all certainty decide who would top the group.

Like most captains would do on a placid Nagpur wicket, MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat. India started brilliantly, smacking the ball to all parts of the ground. It reminded of the 2003 Pakistan bashing by Sachin and Sehwag, only this was longer. None of Graeme Smith’s plans were working, he reluctantly handed the ball over to Faf Du Plessis who took the first of his only two ODI wickets in the form of Virendra Sehwag but the damage was already done, the openers had added 142 runs in just 17.4 overs. Sachin continued to play a sublime innings and Gambhir took off from where Viru left. They both added 125 runs in the next 22 overs, Sachin scoring his sixth and last century at World Cup while Gambhir scored a decent half century. India were 267 in the 41st over for the loss of 1 wicket, most teams in the T20 era would go for the kill in the last 10 and add 100 runs, that wasn’t going to be the case that day though, a Dale Steyn led comeback brought the South Africans right back in the game. His five-for caused the Great Indian Collapse, losing the last 9 wickets for merely 30 runs with no contributions from any middle order batsmen India were bowled out for 296 runs at least 30-40 short of where they’d want themselves to be given the blistering start.

South Africa started the chase positively with 50s from 3 of their top four batsmen none of them ever letting the game slip out of their hands. Indians however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals and kept South Africa in check. The game was neck and neck, India were feeling the pressure as except for Zaheer Khan, all its pacers had taken a beating. Harbhajan Singh’s three wickets coupled with Munaf Patel’s dual strikes towards the end gave India enough steam to take the game till the last over, an over Indians will hardly ever forget.

7 wickets down, 13 required off the last over and a number 9 in the form of Robin Peterson on strike, Dhoni had the option of going with either Bhajji or Nehra. “Why did Dhoni give Nehra the last over” was soon to become a series of whatsapp jokes for the next few weeks as Robin Peterson scored 16 runs off 4 balls of the final over which included 2 fours and a six, taking South Africa over the line. That game was one of the most thrilling matches of the 2011 World Cup, where 20 days later, India went on to win in Mumbai while South Africa yet again crashed out at the onset of the Knockout stages.

Let us hope that the upcoming ODI series gives us many such games to cherish.

Also Read &#8211; <a href="http://goo.gl/3fVHSc" target="_blank">Watch: India v SA match disrupted, as the Cuttack crowd goes bonkers</a>

Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs: South Africa have dominated India when it comes to ODIs, they have won 42 out of the 71 games played between the two nations, they will definitely have the upper hand going into series having all their bases covered.
India on the other hand while sitting ducks away (winning only 13 out of 35 matches played away from home, have been able to resist the South African charge at home winning 13 of the 23 games these two sides have played in India.
Irrespective of the record, both teams have contributed to a lot of classics and mouth-watering ties.
<h3>Let us take a look at Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs:</h3>
<h4>5. C.A.B Cup Semi-Final, 1993: Eden Gardens, Kolkata</h4>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskHKKvcCPg
In the year 1993, the Proteas were relatively new to ODI cricket, they were only in their 3rd year of their return to International Cricket from their cricket exile and they had a point or two to prove. Their return was brilliant, semi-finalists in their first ever world cup and they probably would’ve gone on to win it had the rain gods shown some mercy.
India had won the toss and chose to bat. However, they could only manage to score 195 in their 50 overs with the help of Captain Azharuddin who scored 90 and some support from Pravin Amre. Sachin scored a paltry 15, something people would generally overlook.
SA too had a start-stop chase with a fifty from Andrew Hudson at the top of the order and then 48* by Brian McMillan who came in at No. 6. No other batsman contributed much which took SA to 190/8 in 49 overs.
SA needed 6 off the last over with 2 wickets to spare and the captain Azharuddin had both Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath at his disposal, however, he chose to go with Sachin to bowl the 50th over. Sachin until that point hadn’t bowled a single ball in the game, immense pressure in front of the boisterous Eden Gardens crowd for a 20-year-old one would’ve thought. What followed next was truly amazing. India won by 2 runs, Sachin gave away only 3 runs making it probably the best over he ever bowled in an ODI. A gamble that truly paid off, Sachin who for the years to come would weave magic with his bat, that day won the game with the ball. This game was another semi-final where South Africa had lost the plot, something that they have been doing ever since.
<h4>4. ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35382" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35382" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-35382" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg" alt="ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: India vs South Africa" width="412" height="308" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35382" class="wp-caption-text">(© Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In the year 2000, when South Africa met India in the semi-final of the ICC Knockout Trophy, it was an emotional game. A lot had happened that year, the match-fixing scandal involving both their previous captains. There was a lot of pressure on the players as a lot was talked about the things off the field rather than the game itself. However, once the game started, everything else was put to rest.
India had won the toss and as most captains would do in big games, Saurav Ganguly, chose to bat. Leading from the front, he scored a brilliant unbeaten century at almost run-a-ball (141 off 142 balls). With contributions from Sachin, Dravid, and a young Yuvraj Singh, India went on to score an imposing total of 295. For those who missed out on cricket in the 90s and early 2000s, anything close to 300 back then was mammoth.
South Africa crumbled under pressure yet again, losing wickets at regular intervals; they were hardly in the hunt. Boucher played the lone hand scoring a 60, without any support from the top order, it was hardly ever going to be a challenge. India won the game by 95 runs while SA crashed out, India went on to the finals, only to lose against the Kiwis, in what is still the only major competition New Zealand have won.
<h4>3. India’s tour of South Africa, 2011:</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35378" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35378" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-35378" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg" alt="India’s tour of South Africa, 2011" width="409" height="286" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35378" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption></figure>
When India toured South Africa in 2006-07, they were white-washed 4-0 in the ODI series and went on to give their most dismal performance in a World Cup in the Caribbean a few months later. They didn’t want to repeat the same mistake again, as they wanted to get everything sorted before the 2011 World Cup in their own backyard.
India won the toss and elected to bat. Their innings never really took off, the lack of any substantial contribution from the top 3 left India at 67/3. Yuvraj and Dhoni, who were India’s middle order’s pillars played yet another match saving innings. They stuck together and added 83 runs where Yuvraj struck a calm, under pressure fifty. He departed when the score was 150 post which there were hardly any contributions and India were bundled out for a below-par 190 runs.
South Africa, like India, had an indifferent start. Graeme Smith led from the front, notwithstanding the wickets falling around him, he scored a brilliant 77. He had ensured that the game was South Africa’s at 152/4, South Africa were on course for yet another victory against India and a 2-0 lead in the series, however, on the 1st ball of the 33rd over, Smith in the pursuit to push the ball through the covers, dragged the ball onto his stumps. Smith’s dismissal changed the game, India sensed that they could win. Zaheer Khan’s 2 quick wickets and an uncalled for run-out had SA tottering at 178/8. Some sensible batting by Wayne Parnell got them close to victory. SA now needed only 3 runs off 48 deliveries with two wickets remaining, something that you’d get 9 times out of 10. But Munaf Patel had different plans, he got those 2 wickets in similar fashion and conceded only 1 run, winning the match for India. It was a famous win for India as they had fought it out till the last ball and won by the narrowest of margins. That game was a good practice for the things to come in the World Cup that would follow the series.
<h4>2. 2015 World Cup</h4>
<figure id="attachment_12899" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12899" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-12899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg" alt="hot battles of the Gandhi-Mandela" width="405" height="246" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12899" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
When these two sides met in the 2015 World Cup on February 22, India had a point to prove&nbsp;as&nbsp;they had never beaten South Africa in the World Cup. India had been in Australia since November 2014 and managed only won one international game in 10 tries. SA were favorites to win the title while not much was expected of the Indian team owing to their mediocre show during the test series and the triangular series that preceded the World Cup.
India won the toss and batted first. Rohit Sharma played out a beautiful first over maiden by Dale Steyn. Sharma looked focussed, not committing himself to the moving ball, I told myself, he would score big today. Alas, he was, unfortunately, run-out the very next over by none other the Maverick AB De Villiers. The initial stutter, however, was quickly forgotten as Kohli and Dhawan stitched a beautiful partnership which put India in the driver’s seat. Dhawan went on to score a century and Kohli missed out, falling for 46. However, an aggressive Rahane made sure India’s innings was on track. He played glorious strokes, including that stunning six over Morne Morkel’s head, something I won’t forget for the rest of my life. The top order scored he€avily as India went on to score 307 at the massive MCG. However, with AB De Villiers in the opposite team, is any score ever safe?
SA didn’t have a great start, losing both their openers early. Faf Du Plessis and De Villiers put a sedate partnership but with De Villiers at the crease, SA would always fancy their chances. 20 overs were done, something had to give, De Villiers looked impenetrable, every Indian fan watching the game was tensed and then it happened. A brilliant Mohit Sharma throw that ran out De Villiers. Sharma would go on to take many wickets in the tournament but for me, THAT throw would always supersede any of those wickets. It the game in India favour and from that point onwards, it was one way traffic, India went on to win the game in an emphatic fashion, beating SA by 130 runs.
India and SA both went on to reach the semi-finals but were beaten by their respective hosts.
<h4>1. 2011 World Cup</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35380" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35380" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-35380" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="India vs South Africa 2011 World Cup" width="418" height="297" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35380" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption></figure>
This is easily the best India vs South Africa game I have ever seen. On 12th March 2011 when India met South Africa, at the VCA Stadium Nagpur, the crowd expected nothing less than a humdinger. It was 20 days into the World Cup, it was moving towards its business end and all the games were crucial. This would in all certainty decide who would top the group.
Like most captains would do on a placid Nagpur wicket, MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat. India started brilliantly, smacking the ball to all parts of the ground. It reminded of the 2003 Pakistan bashing by Sachin and Sehwag, only this was longer. None of Graeme Smith’s plans were working, he reluctantly handed the ball over to Faf Du Plessis who took the first of his only two ODI wickets in the form of Virendra Sehwag but the damage was already done, the openers had added 142 runs in just 17.4 overs. Sachin continued to play a sublime innings and Gambhir took off from where Viru left. They both added 125 runs in the next 22 overs, Sachin scoring his sixth and last century at World Cup while Gambhir scored a decent half century. India were 267 in the 41st over for the loss of 1 wicket, most teams in the T20 era would go for the kill in the last 10 and add 100 runs, that wasn’t going to be the case that day though, a Dale Steyn led comeback brought the South Africans right back in the game. His five-for caused the Great Indian Collapse, losing the last 9 wickets for merely 30 runs with no contributions from any middle order batsmen India were bowled out for 296 runs at least 30-40 short of where they’d want themselves to be given the blistering start.
South Africa started the chase positively with 50s from 3 of their top four batsmen none of them ever letting the game slip out of their hands. Indians however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals and kept South Africa in check. The game was neck and neck, India were feeling the pressure as except for Zaheer Khan, all its pacers had taken a beating. Harbhajan Singh’s three wickets coupled with Munaf Patel’s dual strikes towards the end gave India enough steam to take the game till the last over, an over Indians will hardly ever forget.
7 wickets down, 13 required off the last over and a number 9 in the form of Robin Peterson on strike, Dhoni had the option of going with either Bhajji or Nehra. “Why did Dhoni give Nehra the last over” was soon to become a series of whatsapp jokes for the next few weeks as Robin Peterson scored 16 runs off 4 balls of the final over which included 2 fours and a six, taking South Africa over the line. That game was one of the most thrilling matches of the 2011 World Cup, where 20 days later, India went on to win in Mumbai while South Africa yet again crashed out at the onset of the Knockout stages.
Let us hope that the upcoming ODI series gives us many such games to cherish.
<h3>Also Read – <a href="http://goo.gl/3fVHSc" target="_blank">Watch: India v SA match disrupted, as the Cuttack crowd goes bonkers</a></h3>

Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs: South Africa have dominated India when it comes to ODIs, they have won 42 out of the 71 games played between the two nations, they will definitely have the upper hand going into series having all their bases covered.
India on the other hand while sitting ducks away (winning only 13 out of 35 matches played away from home, have been able to resist the South African charge at home winning 13 of the 23 games these two sides have played in India.
Irrespective of the record, both teams have contributed to a lot of classics and mouth-watering ties.
<h3>Let us take a look at Top 5 India v South Africa clashes in ODIs:</h3>
<h4>5. C.A.B Cup Semi-Final, 1993: Eden Gardens, Kolkata</h4>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskHKKvcCPg
In the year 1993, the Proteas were relatively new to ODI cricket, they were only in their 3rd year of their return to International Cricket from their cricket exile and they had a point or two to prove. Their return was brilliant, semi-finalists in their first ever world cup and they probably would’ve gone on to win it had the rain gods shown some mercy.
India had won the toss and chose to bat. However, they could only manage to score 195 in their 50 overs with the help of Captain Azharuddin who scored 90 and some support from Pravin Amre. Sachin scored a paltry 15, something people would generally overlook.
SA too had a start-stop chase with a fifty from Andrew Hudson at the top of the order and then 48* by Brian McMillan who came in at No. 6. No other batsman contributed much which took SA to 190/8 in 49 overs.
SA needed 6 off the last over with 2 wickets to spare and the captain Azharuddin had both Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath at his disposal, however, he chose to go with Sachin to bowl the 50th over. Sachin until that point hadn’t bowled a single ball in the game, immense pressure in front of the boisterous Eden Gardens crowd for a 20-year-old one would’ve thought. What followed next was truly amazing. India won by 2 runs, Sachin gave away only 3 runs making it probably the best over he ever bowled in an ODI. A gamble that truly paid off, Sachin who for the years to come would weave magic with his bat, that day won the game with the ball. This game was another semi-final where South Africa had lost the plot, something that they have been doing ever since.
<h4>4. ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35382" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35382" style="width: 412px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35382" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-India-vs-South-Africa-ICC-Knock-Out-Trophy-2000.jpg" alt="ICC Knockout Trophy, 2000: India vs South Africa" width="412" height="308" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35382" class="wp-caption-text">(© Tom Shaw/ALLSPORT via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In the year 2000, when South Africa met India in the semi-final of the ICC Knockout Trophy, it was an emotional game. A lot had happened that year, the match-fixing scandal involving both their previous captains. There was a lot of pressure on the players as a lot was talked about the things off the field rather than the game itself. However, once the game started, everything else was put to rest.
India had won the toss and as most captains would do in big games, Saurav Ganguly, chose to bat. Leading from the front, he scored a brilliant unbeaten century at almost run-a-ball (141 off 142 balls). With contributions from Sachin, Dravid, and a young Yuvraj Singh, India went on to score an imposing total of 295. For those who missed out on cricket in the 90s and early 2000s, anything close to 300 back then was mammoth.
South Africa crumbled under pressure yet again, losing wickets at regular intervals; they were hardly in the hunt. Boucher played the lone hand scoring a 60, without any support from the top order, it was hardly ever going to be a challenge. India won the game by 95 runs while SA crashed out, India went on to the finals, only to lose against the Kiwis, in what is still the only major competition New Zealand have won.
<h4>3. India’s tour of South Africa, 2011:</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35378" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35378" style="width: 409px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35378" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-South-Africa-Munaf-Patel-MS-Dhoni-Wayne-Parnell-2011-ODI-Series.jpg" alt="India’s tour of South Africa, 2011" width="409" height="286" sizes="(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35378" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption></figure>
When India toured South Africa in 2006-07, they were white-washed 4-0 in the ODI series and went on to give their most dismal performance in a World Cup in the Caribbean a few months later. They didn’t want to repeat the same mistake again, as they wanted to get everything sorted before the 2011 World Cup in their own backyard.
India won the toss and elected to bat. Their innings never really took off, the lack of any substantial contribution from the top 3 left India at 67/3. Yuvraj and Dhoni, who were India’s middle order’s pillars played yet another match saving innings. They stuck together and added 83 runs where Yuvraj struck a calm, under pressure fifty. He departed when the score was 150 post which there were hardly any contributions and India were bundled out for a below-par 190 runs.
South Africa, like India, had an indifferent start. Graeme Smith led from the front, notwithstanding the wickets falling around him, he scored a brilliant 77. He had ensured that the game was South Africa’s at 152/4, South Africa were on course for yet another victory against India and a 2-0 lead in the series, however, on the 1st ball of the 33rd over, Smith in the pursuit to push the ball through the covers, dragged the ball onto his stumps. Smith’s dismissal changed the game, India sensed that they could win. Zaheer Khan’s 2 quick wickets and an uncalled for run-out had SA tottering at 178/8. Some sensible batting by Wayne Parnell got them close to victory. SA now needed only 3 runs off 48 deliveries with two wickets remaining, something that you’d get 9 times out of 10. But Munaf Patel had different plans, he got those 2 wickets in similar fashion and conceded only 1 run, winning the match for India. It was a famous win for India as they had fought it out till the last ball and won by the narrowest of margins. That game was a good practice for the things to come in the World Cup that would follow the series.
<h4>2. 2015 World Cup</h4>
<figure id="attachment_12899" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12899" style="width: 405px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-12899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Mohit-Sharma-Hashim-Amla-Run-Out-Fielding.jpg" alt="hot battles of the Gandhi-Mandela" width="405" height="246" sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12899" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
When these two sides met in the 2015 World Cup on February 22, India had a point to prove as they had never beaten South Africa in the World Cup. India had been in Australia since November 2014 and managed only won one international game in 10 tries. SA were favorites to win the title while not much was expected of the Indian team owing to their mediocre show during the test series and the triangular series that preceded the World Cup.
India won the toss and batted first. Rohit Sharma played out a beautiful first over maiden by Dale Steyn. Sharma looked focussed, not committing himself to the moving ball, I told myself, he would score big today. Alas, he was, unfortunately, run-out the very next over by none other the Maverick AB De Villiers. The initial stutter, however, was quickly forgotten as Kohli and Dhawan stitched a beautiful partnership which put India in the driver’s seat. Dhawan went on to score a century and Kohli missed out, falling for 46. However, an aggressive Rahane made sure India’s innings was on track. He played glorious strokes, including that stunning six over Morne Morkel’s head, something I won’t forget for the rest of my life. The top order scored he€avily as India went on to score 307 at the massive MCG. However, with AB De Villiers in the opposite team, is any score ever safe?
SA didn’t have a great start, losing both their openers early. Faf Du Plessis and De Villiers put a sedate partnership but with De Villiers at the crease, SA would always fancy their chances. 20 overs were done, something had to give, De Villiers looked impenetrable, every Indian fan watching the game was tensed and then it happened. A brilliant Mohit Sharma throw that ran out De Villiers. Sharma would go on to take many wickets in the tournament but for me, THAT throw would always supersede any of those wickets. It the game in India favour and from that point onwards, it was one way traffic, India went on to win the game in an emphatic fashion, beating SA by 130 runs.
India and SA both went on to reach the semi-finals but were beaten by their respective hosts.
<h4>1. 2011 World Cup</h4>
<figure id="attachment_35380" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35380" style="width: 418px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-35380" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/South-Africa-Win-vs-India-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="India vs South Africa 2011 World Cup" width="418" height="297" sizes="(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35380" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: Associated Press)</figcaption></figure>
This is easily the best India vs South Africa game I have ever seen. On 12th March 2011 when India met South Africa, at the VCA Stadium Nagpur, the crowd expected nothing less than a humdinger. It was 20 days into the World Cup, it was moving towards its business end and all the games were crucial. This would in all certainty decide who would top the group.
Like most captains would do on a placid Nagpur wicket, MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat. India started brilliantly, smacking the ball to all parts of the ground. It reminded of the 2003 Pakistan bashing by Sachin and Sehwag, only this was longer. None of Graeme Smith’s plans were working, he reluctantly handed the ball over to Faf Du Plessis who took the first of his only two ODI wickets in the form of Virendra Sehwag but the damage was already done, the openers had added 142 runs in just 17.4 overs. Sachin continued to play a sublime innings and Gambhir took off from where Viru left. They both added 125 runs in the next 22 overs, Sachin scoring his sixth and last century at World Cup while Gambhir scored a decent half century. India were 267 in the 41st over for the loss of 1 wicket, most teams in the T20 era would go for the kill in the last 10 and add 100 runs, that wasn’t going to be the case that day though, a Dale Steyn led comeback brought the South Africans right back in the game. His five-for caused the Great Indian Collapse, losing the last 9 wickets for merely 30 runs with no contributions from any middle order batsmen India were bowled out for 296 runs at least 30-40 short of where they’d want themselves to be given the blistering start.
South Africa started the chase positively with 50s from 3 of their top four batsmen none of them ever letting the game slip out of their hands. Indians however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals and kept South Africa in check. The game was neck and neck, India were feeling the pressure as except for Zaheer Khan, all its pacers had taken a beating. Harbhajan Singh’s three wickets coupled with Munaf Patel’s dual strikes towards the end gave India enough steam to take the game till the last over, an over Indians will hardly ever forget.
7 wickets down, 13 required off the last over and a number 9 in the form of Robin Peterson on strike, Dhoni had the option of going with either Bhajji or Nehra. “Why did Dhoni give Nehra the last over” was soon to become a series of whatsapp jokes for the next few weeks as Robin Peterson scored 16 runs off 4 balls of the final over which included 2 fours and a six, taking South Africa over the line. That game was one of the most thrilling matches of the 2011 World Cup, where 20 days later, India went on to win in Mumbai while South Africa yet again crashed out at the onset of the Knockout stages.
Let us hope that the upcoming ODI series gives us many such games to cherish.
<h3>Also Read &#8211; <a href="http://goo.gl/3fVHSc" target="_blank">Watch: India v SA match disrupted, as the Cuttack crowd goes bonkers</a></h3>

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