India vs South Africa: Head to Head, Proteas always makes it difficult for the men in blue

Apart from winning the World Cup twice, the record India values the most is their unbeaten run against Pakistan in the World Cup. However there is a team against which India has won only once in the World Cup, and that is South Africa.

India has come face to face with South Africa four times in the World Cup, but have managed to win only one of the four encounters. India will play South Africa today in Southamton, where the men in blue will try and restore their second win against the Proteas.

1992: India’s match against South Africa in 1992 didn’t really matter because the Indian team had already been knocked out of the World Cup. They had only beaten Pakistan and Zimbabwe in the league round. Few months earlier India had defeated South Africa in a series at home, The Mohammed Azharudin led side was hopeful of putting up a good show against the Proteas. Batting first, India put up 181 runs target in 30 overs. But a good opening partnership of 128 runs between Andrew Hudson and Peter Kirsten steered South Africa to a easy six wickets victory.

1996: Both the teams were in different groups. South Africa were knocked out by the Windies, while India reached the semis where the lost to Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens.

1999: India commenced their World Cup campaign against the Proteas at Brighton. Batting first the men in blue put up a testing target of 253, thanks to Saurav Ganguly who played a fine innings of 97 runs. In reply, South Africa lost their first wicket in just 22 runs, giving India the edge. Nevertheless Jacques Kallis empeccable 96 resuced the side after which South Africa needed 24 of 22 balls with four wickets in hand, the indian skipper brought in Ajit Agarkar to bowl the 47th over. Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusner battered Agarkar, scoring 17 runs off the over and secured an easy win.

2003 and 2007: While South Africa were knocked out in the first round in 2003, India reached the finals but lost to Australia, In 2007, India were knocked out in the first round

2011: India won all their matches before winning the World Cup after 28 long years. The only game the lost to was against the Proteas in the league stage. After a 146 run opening partnership India was eyeing a total of close to 350, but could only reach 296. South Africa batted sensibly and remained the the game. With 13 needed in the last over, Ashish Nehra was brought in to bowl. Robin Peterson made it look easy and sealed the victory in the fourth ball of the last over.

2015: India and South Africa faced each other in the 13th match of the World Cup, batting first Shikhar Dhawan’s 137, Virat Kohli’s 46 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 72 took India to 307/7 in 50 overs. In reply South Africa were 177 with 9 overs remaining. Faf du Plessis was the only batsman to score 50. South Africans were outdone by the Indian team where they won by 130 runs and Shikhar Dhawan was named Man of the Match.