India South Africa Cricket Test

India South Africa Cricket Test

South Africa deservedly defeated India in the second cricket test to take an unassailable lead in the ongoing Test series. Not withstanding the Virat innings played by -its captain - Virat Kohli in the first innings, the Indian teams lackadaisical performance lead to yet another overseas defeat. South Africans are a great team at home and if any one thought that the Indians - with their recent consecutive victory performances back home against most test playing nations including the great Aussies and England - will easily beat the South Africans, they are in for a rude shock. The strength and superiority of the home team has been overwhelming.

We at the Nehru Science Centre has the honour to present the cricket relations between the two of our countries in an exhibition (the first in the series) Cricket Connects that was presented at Johannesburg and Durban in the year 2014.

 
This Cricket Exhibition, with images from historical times including the first historic post-apartheid cricket series for South Africa to India in 1991 and the friendship tour that followed where Indians toured South Africa in the year 1992-93, highlighted how cricket offers unique insights into the longstanding relationship between India and South Africa. This exhibition commemorated 20 years of India - South Africa relations, 20 years of South African Freedom and Democracy and 100 years since the return of Gandhi to India from South Africa. I am honored to share brief write up on the two historically significant series for those of you -my friends- who may be interested in the cricket history.

The First ever post Apartheid cricketing ties for South Africa ( Tour to India in 1991)

India, which had played a key role of a principal opponent of apartheid, had snapped diplomatic ties with South Africa in 1948 following the electoral victory of the National Party, which implemented the apartheid laws. South Africa was isolated and banned from playing international cricket matches. The release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, set pace for the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Friends my generation will recollect our passports with an ubiquitous stamp valid for all countries except South Africa during this period.

 
Ali Bacher, the former South Africa batsman who had captained them in their previous Test series, in 1970-71, led the effort in pushing for full-member status within the ICC for South Africa after becoming the managing director of the unified United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA). India's vote - with backing from its government - played a critical role in achieving it.

Within days of the lifting of cricketing ban, Clive Rice led South African cricket team arrived in India, at the Calcutta Airport on 8th November 1991, for a three-match tour to mark South Africa’s return to international cricket. Ali Bacher, under whose efforts the South Africa could achieve the full member status under ICC, accompanied the team with Mike Procter, who probably was one of the most natural talents the game of cricket has ever seen. Mike Procter was denied the chance to showcase his talents on the international stage by South Africa's isolation. His performances in the seven Test matches he did play - all against Australia - suggest he would have kept favourable company with other great allrounders of the late 20th century such as Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and Richard Hadlee.

The South African team received spectacular welcome. A bus journey that should have taken half an hour took over four hours as thousands lined the streets of Kolkata to greet the team. The entire team, barring Kepler Wessels who had earlier played for Australia, was making its debut. Throughout their stay in Kolkata, the visitors were greeted by banners proclaiming love, anticipation, welcome and hospitality. There was the “Long live India-South Africa Friendship” which seemed the most popular banner wherever the team travelled in India.

On the D day, 10th November 1991, when the two captains walked into the Eden Garden stadium for the toss, the atmosphere, in the stadium with crowds in excess of 90,000, was electrifying. India won the inaugural ODI match in a low-scoring game at Eden Gardens. The stadium - reportedly, exceeded its capacity of 90,000. Hundreds of thousands of people across India and South Africa witnessed the match live on TV. Although South Africa lost this match they discovered a potent world-class fast bowler in Allan Donald who returned with staggering figures of 5 for 29. It was befitting, that the man of the match honours was shared between the two great Cricket legends; Allan Donald and Sachin Tendulkar, who continued to rule the world of Cricket for several years.

India won the next game at Gwalior, and with it, the Charminar Challenge series. South Africa earned a consolation win in the final match in New Delhi, as Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten guided the side home in a high-scoring encounter under lights. The series was lost 2-1 but even in defeat, the South Africans returned home with indelible memories of the response the team received wherever they went from the Indian public. An emotional captain Clive Rice was quoted in Wisden as saying, "I know how Neil Armstrong felt when he stood on the moon." Another touching moment for the South African team was their visit to Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata where the team had a memorable meeting with the apostle of peace, Mother Theresa.

India also become the first country to tour South Africa post the Apartheid in 1992-93

India became the first team to tour South Africa, post-apartheid, in 1992-93. Led by Mohammed Azaruddin, India arrived in Durban on 11th November 1992 for this historic tour of four Tests and seven ODI. Durban, venue for the first Test, with its large Indian diaspora and ties with the motherland, presented a memorable reception to the team. Hundreds cheered on the streets during a motorcade. The tour - labelled the Friendship Series - was South Africa's way of reciprocating India's efforts in ending the country's sporting isolation. The tour was a triumph of sporting diplomacy, given the political backdrop and the mutual desire to improve ties between the two countries. The team had a historic meeting with Nelson Mandela. They also visited the townships to promote the game, and made a trip to Pietermaritzburg - where Gandhi's struggle against discrimination began.

 
The opening ceremony of the first Test was marked by the release of doves by the two captains Azharuddin and Kepler Wessels, dedicating the series to peace. The teams and officials lined up with the “Friendship Trophy” in the middle. The ICC, which formally welcomed South Africa back was represented by Sir Colin Cowdrey, Chairman, in the second Test.

The series got off to a remarkable opening when Jimmy Cook, maker of over 2000 runs in the previous English season, was dismissed first ball of the first-ever India-South Africa Test caught at slip by Tendulkar. Wessels made the first century by a South African against India, and Pravin Amre returned the compliment scoring a century on his debut. Mandela witnessed the Johannesburg Test, and endeared himself to the players with his easy informality and knowledge of the game’s players.

When Kapil Dev bowled the first ball of the series it was the first time a non-White would be watching the game from behind the bowler’s arm. Nelson Mandela was to recall later how he supported his favorite player, Australia’s Neil Harvey from within what could only be described as ‘cages’ square of the wicket.

The cricket, though, failed to measure up to the pre-series hype. The slow run rates, especially during the Test matches, resulted in steadily declining attendances. Three of the four Tests ended in tame draws. The only memorable Test was played at Port Elizabeth, where Kapil Dev scored a scintillating century (129 ) in a losing cause. Allan Donald’s fiery spell of 12 wickets resulted in the win for South Africa. There was a better response from the audience for the ODIs, which the Indians lost 2-5.