Last Updated:
The first match of the 3-match series, hosted at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata 33 years ago, saw India chase down the target of 177 runs to win by three wickets.
The inexperienced Proteas unit, led by Clive Rice, had played three ODIs against a Mohammad Azharuddin-led Indian side. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
The date– November 10, 1991– must be written in golden letters in the history of the South African cricket team. It was the day when the Proteas returned to the international circuit after serving a ban of 21 years. The Imperial Cricket Conference (now International Cricket Council or ICC) indefinitely suspended the team from global competitions due to apartheid in 1970.
Back then, no non-white player had existed in the South African team and it raised questions over the integrity of the sport.
After the country started tackling the issue of racial discrimination in the late 1980s, South Africa got the green signal from the cricket governing body. They managed to arrange a tour of India in 1992, announcing their comeback to world cricket. South Africa had played three ODIs against a Mohammad Azharuddin-led Indian side.
The first match of the series was hosted at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata 33 years back on this day (November 10). India won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first.
When they were banned from competing in international tournaments, South Africa took up a unique approach to build their team. The board funded some “rebel tours” where the international cricketers used to play unofficial matches against teams like England, Australia and the West Indies.
As many as 10 players made their debut for South Africa during the India tour. The inexperienced Proteas unit, led by Clive Rice, managed to produce 177 runs in the first ODI.
ALSO READ: IND vs SA 1st T20I: Samson’s Sensational Ton, Spinners’ Dominant Show Gives India Victory By 61 Runs
Kepler Wessels was the top scorer with 50 runs while Adrian Kuiper missed his half-century by just three. Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar each picked two wickets for India.
Coming to chase, India lost a few early wickets with Ravi Shastri, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sanjay Manjrekar all returning to the pavilion with one-digit scores. Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with a 62-run knock while Pravin Amre struck 55. India won the match by three wickets, chasing down the target in 40.4 overs.
The home side continued their domination in the second ODI and registered a 38-run victory. South Africa bounced back in the last game and won by eight wickets to wrap up the tour on a positive note.
