Debasis Sen, Cape Town: India will look to set their record straight in South Africa when they take on the Proteas in a three match test series starting at Newlands Stadium from January 05. The No. 1 ranked test side has had a dismal record in South Africa having failed to win a series in their last six attempts. The record of Men in Blue in South Africa over the past 25 years is nothing short of woeful.
The young cricketers under the captaincy of Kohli will look to shrug off the disappointment of never winning a series in the rainbow nation. In a bid to prepare themselves well ahead of the test series, the Indians arrived early to South Africa. The Indian cricketers will begin their practice session at the picturesque Western Province Cricket Club. Situated next to the Gary Kirsten Oval, it provides the perfect settings for the Indians. Three wickets have been prepared by the grounds men of WPCC, all looking similar in nature with a lot of grass. According to the Supervisor John Martin, “The wickets here will have a lot of carry and bounce. They have specially prepared after receiving the instruction from the Indian team management.”
With Kohli considered one of the greats of the modern game, this will be a box that he desperately wants to tick. But history suggests that this will be a tough assignment for the Indians.
Since 1992, they have won just two of the 17 Tests they have played in South Africa. Of the six Test series between the sides on South African soil, the hosts have won five with a 1-1 draw back in the 2010/11 season India’s best return.
The reason for the Proteas’ dominance over the years has had a lot to do with their pace bowling attack. More often than not, green and seam-friendly wickets are prepared and India’s batsmen have struggled. Keeping in mind the conditions they might be provided with, the players will practice on the green wickets specially prepared by the groundsman to give the Indian batsman a perfect practice ahead of the test series.
The last time the sides met in Test cricket was in 2015/16, when India were at home and unashamedly prepared spin-friendly tracks as they beat the Proteas 3-0 in a four-match series.
But, as the records below suggest, home ground advantage means a lot when these sides play.