India South Africa first Test Series: 10 Stunning Records

India South Africa first test series is still regarded as one of the most noteworthy events in the annals of cricket history. At that time, the cricketing world had not yet fully acquainted itself with the South African team. Furthermore, the Indian team was also unfamiliar with the pitch and weather conditions in South Africa.

This series gained fame for several remarkable cricketing incidents including Allan Donald’s formidable bowling performances, Kapil Dev’s last test century achieved with an injured right hand, and Steve Bucknor’s erroneous against India, among others.

Let us now delve into ten lesser-known yet remarkable facts about the first India-South Africa test series, in order to refresh our memories of that momentous and historic event.

First Test Series in South Africa.

Team India’s initial visit to South Africa was a momentous event in the political landscape. Just a year prior, South Africa made a remarkable return to international cricket after enduring a twenty-one-year suspension from the world of sports.

A worldwide opposition to the apartheid policy resulted isolation of South African from all the international tournaments. However, India took the initiative and became the first nation to invite the South African cricket team for an ODI series in the post-apartheid era.

India’s significant role in extending a warm welcome to the South African cricket team for the Cricket World was truly commendable.

Ali Bacher, a tactful but progressive administrator of South African Cricket Board also played a crucial role to use cricket in the process of reconciliation. Ali Bacher cordially welcomed BCCI’s initiative to include South Africa in the arena of Cricket World. He also sent a South African Team under the leadership of Clive Rice to play three one day match in India.

In order to maintain a strong bond with international cricket, South Africa reciprocated by organizing an India-South Africa series in

This series marked the first cricket series played in South Africa after the end of the apartheid regime.

Remarkable Initiatives in India South Africa First Test Series

The India South Africa test series created bunch of historic incidents. Ali Bacher and his team took two innovative initiatives in this series.

1) Use of Television Replays for line calls.

2) Employing Three umpires each day of a test instead of two umpires to keep up them energetic.

But neither Captain of the Indian Team Mohammad Azharuddin nor the manager of Indian Team Ajit Wadekar found anything objectionable in two initiatives.

First Black Cricketer in South African Team

In the post-apartheid era, South Africa witnessed numerous changes in its socio-political landscape. These changes were also reflected in the composition of its cricket team,too.Omar Henry, a left-arm off-spinner, broke barriers by becoming the first non-white player to represent South Africa.

He holds the remarkable record of being the oldest debutant in Test cricket for his country. Henry made his maiden appearance at the age of 40 years and 295 days.

Zero at debut test

Indian Skipper Azharuddin won the toss of the first match and elected to field. But in the first ball of this historic test Kepler Wessels’s team lost the first wicket.During his debut Test match, South African opener Jimmy Cook faced an unfortunate dismissal.

He became the first cricketer to be caught on the very first ball of his debut Test. The South African opener failed to read Kapil Dev’s lethal delivery.

First Cricketer to make century for two countries

South African captain Kepler Wessels achieved a significant milestone in this series. He became the first batsman from his country to score a century in the post-apartheid era.

However, Wessels also made a rather peculiar record. During the apartheid era, he played for Australia and managed to score four centuries. By scoring a remarkable 118 runs against India in the first test, Wessels became the first batsman to achieve centuries for two different countries.

First Batsman Dismissed by TV Replay

That era belonged to Tendulkar, making it highly unlikely that there would be no record attributed to him in a series. In the first innings of the first Test, his dismissal was determined by the TV Replay. This dismissal made him the first test batsman to be given run out by the TV Umpire. Johnty Rhodes also made history by directly hitting the wicket at the non-strikers’ end.

It is worth noting that not only Tendulkar, but also TV umpire Liebenberg’s name found its place in the record book.

First Indian to Score Century against South Africa

Praveen Amre became the first Indian batsman to score a century against South Africa. Additionally, he became the ninth Indian batsman to achieve a century in his debut test match.

Amre scored a delicate innings of 103 runs off 299 balls. His century against the formidable South African bowling lineup was undoubtedly praiseworthy.

Youngest Indian to Score 1000 Test Runs

Sachin Tendulkar etched his name in history as the youngest cricketer to reach 1000 runs in Test matches.

In the second test, Tendulkar’s exceptional score of 111 runs almost single-handedly propelled his team to a total of 227 runs.

First Retired Hurt

Meyrick Pringle became the first South African batsman to retire hurt in a test. He was injured over the eye by Javagal Shrinath’s dangerous bouncer.

South Africa’s First Win

For the first time in the post-apartheid era, South Africa won both a test match and a series. In the third test of the series, South Africa defeated India by 9 wickets.

First South African Wicket Keeper to Take 9 Catches

During the third test, South African wicket keeper Dave Richardson achieved an impressive feat by taking 9 catches. This is still stands as the best performance by a South African wicket keeper.

This series helped to lay the foundation of South African cricket. With this the whole cricket world came to know about two greatest bowlers of the history of the cricket -Allan Donald and Anil Kumble. Allan Donald became the player of the series with taking 20 wickets. On the other hand Anil Kumble with his 18 wickets emerged as the leading wicket taker of India.

Summary of the first India South Africa Test Series

Total Match Played -4

South Africa won -1

India won- 0

Drawn -3

Highest Run scorer – Kepler Wessels (295)

Most Wickets- Allan Donald (20)

Highest Individual Score – Hansie Cronje-135

Best Bowling – Allan Donald -7/84

Player of the Series – Allan Donald