India South Africa ODI Series 1991- A Series of Love and Hospitality

India South Africa ODI series of 1991 was undoubtedly one of the most exciting incidents of the History of Cricket. Before that series South African cricket was completely unfamiliar to the Cricket World.

The South African Cricket Team faced a complete ban from international cricket in 1970 as a result of their adherence to apartheid policies.

Due to The banishment from Cricket, the legendary South African cricketers like Barry Richards, Graeme Pollock or Ali Bacher remained unfamiliar to al the cricket fanatics. But South Africa’s comeback in International Cricket in 1991 was one of most joyous moments in the History of Cricket.

BCCI organised a three match ODI series between India and South Africa to welcome an apparently unfamiliar Cricket Nation to the World.

Facts and Records of The First India -South Africa ODI Series

Let’s remember those three matches to revise some forgotten but remarkable facts.

1) Clive Rice became the first South African cricketer to lead against India.

2) Jimmy Cook became the first South African batsman to face the first ball in their One Day International.

3) Allan Donald was the first South African Bowler to take 5 wickets in an One Day Match.

4) Andrew Hudson became the first South African batsman to out at zero.

5) Kepler batsman became first South African batsman to score a fifty.

6) Sachin Tendulkar became the first Indian batsman to make a fifty against South Africa.

7) Ravi Shastri became first Indian to Score a ton against Proteas.

8) South Africa secured their first win in ODI after defeating India in the 3rd ODI by 8 wickets.

First India South Africa ODI Match

During the First India South Africa ODI Series both the teams were unfamiliar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. However, Kepler Wessels and Adrian Kuiper performed exceptionally well in the first match.

Nevertheless, there were still surprises awaiting for the Indian batsmen. Allan Donald’s aggressive pace attack sent three Indian batsmen, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Ravi Shastri, and Sanjai Manjrekar, back to the pavilion.

If it weren’t for 16-year-old Sachin standing strong like an invincible shield, South Africa would have achieved their first victory in their very first ODI match.Sachin’s stunning 62 runs in the first match of Maiden India South Africa ODI Series was first 50 of an Indian batsman against Proteas in ODI.

Tendulkar’s 62 in 73 balls and debutant Praveen Amre’s 55 in 74 balls paved the way for India’s victory in their inaugural one-day international against South Africa.

However, with his five-wicket haul in that match Allan Donald gave his fiery introduction to the cricket world. The unforgettable Yorker that bowled Sanjai Manjrekar was a testament to his talent. If that India South Africa ODI Series made familiar Tendulkar to South African fans, Donald also became renowned to Indians.

Last India South Africa ODI Match

Although India emerged victorious in the first two matches, the third match proved to be the most thrilling. Though India already secured its victory in the first India South Africa ODI Series, the third ODI was a match to establish South Africa’s respect to the Cricket World.

Ravi Shastri and K.Srikant made a opening partnership of 86 runs. Next Shastri and Manjrekar took the runs to 261.Both Shastri and Manjrekar made centuries. Indian team set a target of 287 for their opponents.

None of the Indian spectators anticipated India’s defeat. The Indian fans were eagerly anticipating a resounding 3-0 victory against the Protease.

However, Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten had other plans in mind. Wessels displayed resilience by scoring an impressive 90 runs in 102 balls.

But, the true nightmare for the Indian bowlers was Andrew Kuiper. Kuiper dominated the match with a sensational 63 runs in just 41 balls. During that time, chasing a target of 287 runs seemed nearly impossible.

Nevertheless, Kuiper and Kirsten accomplished the feat.Finally, they snatched victory from India with only 46.4 overs remaining.

It was Srinath and Prabhakar who bore the brunt of the assault, as the Indian bowlers conceded a staggering 133 runs in 18.4 overs.

India emerged victorious in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series, prevailing with a 2-1 scoreline. However the result might be, South Africa proved their potentiality to become a new power in Cricket World in the First India South Africa ODI Series.

However, this series served as a discreet proclamation of the arrival of a formidable cricketing nation onto the global stage.

The global community at large was introduced to the revered fast bowler, Allan Donald, as well as some exceptional talented batsmen, such as Peter Kirsten and Kepler Wessels.