South Africa vs India : India have sealed a golden 1-0 lead in South Africa and are set to win their first-ever Test series victory in the Rainbow Nation as they walk into the pitch at Johannesburg to play the hosts in the 2nd test from January 3.
For Virat Kohli, South Africa has been witnessed as the final frontier as consistent Test side, though teams in the past have struggled to be consistent on the pace-rich pitches in the Rainbow Nation. However, their performances at the Wanderers in Johannesburg has been an anomaly.
India have played 21 Tests in South Africa and have managed just 4 victories but they have never been beaten at the Wanderers, known to possess one of the fastest pitches in the country.
India have played 5 Tests in Johannesburg and have won 2 and drawn 3. India last won at the iconic venue in 2018 when a Virat Kohli-led side, angered by their defeats in the first 2 matches of the series, overcame a dangerous pitch to beat South Africa.
How India Fares in JOHANNESBURG
PLAYED 5, WON -2, DRAWN – 1, LOST 0
- 1992 – Draw
- 1997 – Draw
- 2006 – Won
- 2013 – Draw
- 2018 – Won
Notably, Rahul Dravid, who is currently touring South Africa as India’s coach, led India to a historic win in Johannesburg in 2006 — India’s first-ever Test match win in South Africa. It was also the venue where Dravid scored his first Test hundred in 1997. India came close to winning in the said year but wet weather played spoilsport.
Asked what explains India’s exceptional record at the Wanderers, Dravid, speaking to the press on Saturday, said he can’t put a finger on why India have done well at the venue.
South Africa Vs India: India goes to 2nd Test with great a victory behind
“For some reason, the boys have always enjoyed playing at the Wanderers. It’s a quicker pitch, but the bounce maybe hasn’t been as much as at Centurion in the past. It is a strange one, it’s one of those things, I can’t exactly put a finger on the reason.
“It may be a familiarity with the city, the groundfor some reason we’ve always done well there and it is hard to figure out why, but I really hope we continue that now,” he said about South Africa vs India matches.
Notably, India are the only visiting team who have not been beaten at the Wanderer so far.
