India and South Africa are two of the most dominant cricket teams in the world, having won several titles and defeated cricketing legends at key events. The India vs South Africa cricket rivalry has transformed over the years, with both teams facing tough challenges from each other. Imprinted with remarkable moments, iconic matches, celebrated players, and unforgettable finishes, the India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline has seen a series of thrilling encounters that have defined cricketing history. From nail-biting finishes to spectacular individual performances, both teams have contributed to memorable clashes that resonate with fans and players alike.
Early Encounters: 1990s to 2000
The two teams met for the first time in 1991 for a 3-match ODI series in India. The Men in Blue claimed the series 2-1. India and South Africa played an ODI match in Kolkata, beginning the India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline. While the first and second matches were won by India, South Africa won the 3rd match.
- 1991-1992 India v South Africa: India outplayed South Africa by winning the first game by 3 wickets, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s efforts of 62 runs. In the second game, India scored 223 in 45 overs, losing 6 wickets. South Africa managed to score 185 in 45 overs with 8 wickets down. Ravi Shastri and Sanjay Manjrekar scored 109 and 105, respectively, but the Proteas easily chased down the 288 runs.
- 1992-1993 South Africa v India: The two teams met for a 4-match Test series in South Africa. While the first, second, and fourth matches concluded in a draw, South Africa won the 3rd game by 9 wickets on its home ground, demonstrating its skills on its soil. Kepler Wessels, Jonty Rhodes, Brian McMillan, Hansie Cronje, Allan Donald, and Craig Matthews were significant contributors to the Proteas. On the other hand, for India, Praveen Amre, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Manoj Prabhakar, and Javagal Srinath were crucial players.
- 1993-1994 C.A.B. Jubilee Tournament: India and South Africa played the 1st semi-final of the tournament in Kolkata. India won the match by 2 runs to head on to the final. Opting to bat, India gathered 195 in the first innings, thanks to Mohammad Azharuddin’s 90 off 118 balls. South Africa was dismissed for 193 runs, with 9 wickets down. India beat the West Indies in the final to win the championship.
- 1995-1996 Pepsi Sharjah Cup: The South African team and the Indian team squared battle in the 1996 Asia Cup final. South Africa produced a total of 287 in 50 overs, limiting India to 249, and winning the match by 38 runs. Gary Kirsten’s unbeatable 115 to clinch victory for the Proteas.
- 1996-1997 South Africa v India: A 3-match Test series was played between South Africa and India in South Africa. The hosts won the first and second matches by 328 runs and 282 runs, respectively. The third match was a draw between the two teams. Gary Kirsten, Brian McMillan, Lance Klusener, Andrew Hudson, Daryll Cullinan, Allan Donald, and Shaun Pollock were remarkable players for South Africa. Venkatesh Prasad, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Javagal Srinath, and Anil Kumble were noteworthy Indian players in the series.
- 1996-1997 Standard Bank International Series: The final of the series was played on 12th February, 1997; however, due to rain, the match was abandoned and replayed the next day on 13th February. South Africa won the final by 17 runs using the D/L method. South Africa scored 278, lost eight wickets, and held India to 234 in 39.2 overs. Due to the weather, India’s aim was reduced to 251 runs to win from 40 overs.
- 1999-2000 LG Cup: The final of the LG Cup was won by South Africa by 26 runs. The Proteas scored 235 in the first innings, while Indian cricketers were bowled out for 209.
Middle Clashes: 2000 to 2010
The dynamic of the India-South Africa cricket rivalry shifted in the 2000s, when India began to give the Proteas a run for their money, emerging as a strong team against South Africa.
- 2000-2001 ICC Knock-Out: The 2nd Semi-Final of the knock-out was claimed by India by 95 runs. The Men in Blue scored 295, 6 wickets lost. South Africa entered the ground and were sent back to the pavilion at 200 runs. Skipper Sourav Ganguly’s unbeatable 141 is unforgettable in the IND vs SA rivalry.
- 2001-2002 Standard Bank Triangular Tournament: The Final of the tournament was played between South Africa and India in Durban. India were bundled out for 183, while South Africa scored 187 in 42.1 overs, losing only 4 wickets, defeating India by 6 wickets.
- 2002-2003 ICC Champions Trophy: India played South Africa in the 1st Semi-final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy in Colombo. Despite Herschelle Gibbs scoring 116 off 119 balls, India managed to limit South Africa to 251 runs while scoring 261. After competing against one another in the final, India and Sri Lanka were proclaimed equal trophy winners.
- 2002-2003 TVS Cup: Due to rain, the Cup final was played and abandoned twice, resulting in both clubs sharing the prize.
- 2006-2007 South Africa v India: Both teams played their first T20Is against each other in Johannesburg. While the Proteas were bowled out for 126, India pulled off the run chase easily, scoring 127 with just 4 wickets down in 19.5 overs.
- 2007-2008 India v South Africa: Cricket commentators and fans found the three-match Test series between the two countries to be highly engaging. While the first match was a draw between both teams, Virender Sehwag’s 319 was remarkable. AB de Villiers’s 217 in the second match led his side to win by an innings and 90 runs. India clinched victory in the 3rd game by 8 wickets, leveling the series 1-1.
- 2009-2010 ICC World Twenty20: India won the match by 14 runs, thanks to Suresh Raina’s century. India amassed 186 in the first innings played and limited South Africa to 172, despite Jacques Kallis’s knock out for 73.
The Era of Tough Battles: 2010s to Recent Encounters
The addition of new players to the Indian team strengthened their prowess in the sport, and they began winning crucial matches against South Africa, producing iconic moments, and achieving milestones.
- 2013 ICC Champions Trophy: The inaugural match of the tournament was held in Cardiff between India and South Africa. India, led by Shikhar Dhawan (114), triumphed by 26 runs. India was also the winner of the tournament after defeating England in the final by 5 runs.
- 2013-2014 ICC World Twenty20: India played South Africa in the 2nd Semi-final of the ICC tournament, and won the game by 6 wickets. Dismissing South Africa for 172, India played the second innings effortlessly, scoring 176, thanks to Virat Kohli’s unbeatable 72.
- 2015-2016 India v South Africa: South Africa visited India for a 4-match Test series, where India dominated South Africa by winning 3 games against the Proteas. While the 2nd Test was a draw, India won the remaining 3 games, highlighting their prowess in the sport on their home ground. Ajinkya Rahane’s 127 and 100* in the 4th Test were remarkable in the series.
- 2017-2018 South Africa v India: The two teams played a 3-match Twenty20 series. India won the series 2-1, winning 1st and 3rd matches by 28 runs and 7 runs, respectively. South Africa won the second by 6 wickets.
- 2019-2020 India v South Africa: In the three-match Test series, South Africa was whitewashed by India. Mayank Agarwal scored an impressive 215 in India’s first innings in the first game. Virat Kohli scored an unbeatable 254 in the second match, leading India to claim victory by an innings and 137 runs. Rohit Sharma displayed his stunning batting skills by scoring 212 off 255 balls in the third match.
- 2024 ICC T20 World Cup: India won the final of the T20 World Cup against South Africa by 7 runs. India scored 176, losing 7 wickets, and restricted South Africa to 169/8, winning the tournament after 17 years of victory in the inaugural season.
The India vs South Africa cricket rivalry has evolved over the years, with both teams having periods of dominance. India, although mostly dominated by South Africa, has gained its strength in the 20-over format, winning 18 matches, while South Africa won 12. In the 50-over format and Test matches, South Africa has an edge over India since the beginning of the South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline.
