Cricket Photos

India vs S Africa: Battle Royale

February 20, 2010 19:50

It has been almost two-and-a-half years since India and South Africa played each other in ODIs. The good news, however, is that they are back on the pitch and are all set to play 3 ODIs in a battle for the second spot on ICC ODI Rankings.

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It has been almost two-and-a-half years since India and South Africa played each other in ODIs. The good news, however, is that they are back on the pitch to play the 50-over game.

Both India and South Africa showed their might in the just concluded Test series to finish level at 1-1 that helped India retain its top spot on ICC Rankings. However, ODIs will be a different ball-game altogether.

South Africa will look to replace India at number 2 in ICC ODI Rankings while the hosts will go al guns blazing on the Proteas to protect their berth on the rankings table.

In the next five slides, we take a look at the last five ODIs that India and South Africa have played against each other.

For the record, in the last five matches, India lead 3-2.
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South Africa's dogged tail-enders nearly gatecrashed India's party in the first ODI in Jaipur on 21st February 2009, before Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team eked out a nail-biting one-run victory to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. (AFP Photo)
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India prevailed on a bowler friendly track pulling off a six-wicket win to clinch the Future Cup. Damp conditions had reduced the series-decider to a 31-over game but two charged-up teams played out a fitting climax.
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When Sachin Tendulkar is in full flow, there is no better sight in the world. At Belfast, on June 29, 2007, it was something similar. Chasing 227 to win, India started pretty well, riding mostly on Sachin's 93.

However, after Tendulkar fell to Thandi Tshabalala, India experienced an almighty stutter and India were soon 142/4 from 134/0. An 85-run partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Karthik helped India's cause as India won by
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A score of 99 by Sachin Tendulkar helped India post a respectable total of 242 on 26th June 2007 at Belfast but this time Jacques Kallis' 91 overshadowed the Little Master's effort.

After India posted 242 in their allotted 50 overs, South Africa started off pretty well. Piyush Chawla then shook the Proteas batting with 3 wickets. Kallis, however, managed to hold together the African innings and take the hosts past 242 with 3 balls remaining.
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After the first two matches being cancelled and the third being abandoned, India had lost three matches on the trot of the seven match series before landing at Super Sport Park, Centurion.

It was the last chance in the series for India to save some pride. However, that was not meant to be.

South Africa restricted India to a modest 200 before AB de Villiers made it look like a domestic circuit total with his unbeaten 92.

Smith's men won the series 4-0.
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Sachin Tendulkar with coach Gary Kirsten during a practice session in Jaipur's Swai Mansingh Cricket Stadium. India are scheduled to play 3 ODIs against South Africa. (AFP Photo)
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Till date, India and South Africa have played 58 ODIs and India don't really have a record of which they can be proud of.

Of the 58 matches played, India have won 21 while South Africa have emerged victorious on 35 occasions.
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India and South Africa will play the second One-Day International of the three match series in Gwalior. (AFP Photo)
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A narrow one-run win over South Africa in the first ODI notwithstanding, Indian's morale would be high going into the second match on Wedenesday given their impressive record at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium. (AFP Photo)
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The hosts have won seven out of the nine ODI's that they have played here including one against South Africa, when they trounced the visitors by 38 runs in a 45 over-a-side match on November 12, 1991. (AFP Photo)
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Besides South Africa, India have beaten formidable opponents like Australia, England (twice), Pakistan, New Zealand and the West Indies at this venue.

In contrast, it was the same venue where a little known Kenyan team had humbled the Mohammad Azharuddin-led squad on May 26, 1996. (AFP Photo)

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