India in Johannesburg: The away fortress
The value of home advantage has grown exponentially with Test cricket becoming a fierce arena. The host nations try their best to cultivate venues where they can gain the maximum benefit which become their ‘fortresses’. The Australians bestow that honour to the Gabba, Brisbane while the English point to Edgbaston. The Indians, however, have adopted a different route.
India have been unbeatable at home, no matter what the venue is. Now, their focus is to emulate that success in away conditions. One such ground where they have been historically superior is The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. India have played five Tests at that venue and are yet to be defeated. Here is a brief look at all those matches:
Performance of Indian team at Johannesburg in Test cricket:
Matches – 5
Win – 2
Draw – 3India is yet to lose a Test at Johannesburg and they are one win away from a historic Test series win at South Africa.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 1, 2022
1992: Draw
In the 2nd Test of India’s maiden tour of South Africa, the visitors were reeling at 73/5. Jonty Rhodes (91) and Brian McMillan (98) helped them post 292. For India, only Sachin Tendulkar went past the score of 25 and managed 111 on his own. South Africa consolidated on the lead of 65 runs and set India a target of 318. India batted out 82 overs, scored 141/4 and secured a draw.
1997: Draw
Batting first, Rahul Dravid’s 148 powered India to a massive score of 410. Javagal Srinath claimed a 5-wicket haul as South Africa responded with a total of 321. India’s top order clicked once again and the home side needed to chase down 356 runs in the 4th innings. The rain and bad light came to their rescue as the match was drawn with South Africa 8 wickets down.
2006: India won by 123 runs
Sourav Ganguly’s 51 along with contributions from Tendulkar, Dravid, VVS Laxman and Vikram Singh (the number 11) saw India post 249. S Sreesanth’s incredible spell then blew away the home side as they folded for just 84 runs. Laxman led India’s efforts in the 2nd innings and the Proteas needed 402 runs to win. They handed India their maiden Test win on the South African soil as Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Anil Kumble claimed 3 wickets each.
2013: Draw
Against a bowling attack comprised of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, Virat Kohli struck a magnificent 119. India’s total of 280 proved adequate as Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma chipped in with 4-wicket hauls. Cheteshwar Pujara’s 153 saw India posting 421 in the 3rd innings. South Africa nearly tracked down the seemingly impossible task of getting 458 runs. They were 8 runs away from the victory when the play was called off.
2018: India won by 63 runs
Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. The quartet breathed fire as India could only post 187 runs. Jasprit Bumrah replied with a 5-fer and halted South Africa at 194. Ajinkya Rahane’s enterprising 48 (68) and Kohli’s gutsy 41 allowed India to ask the home team to chase 241 runs. They were cruising at one stage with a score of 124/1. Mohammed Shami’s fiery spell secured a sensational victory for India.
