IND vs SA: Top Indian performers in the hostile pastures of Cape Town

The bilateral affair between India and South Africa is almost upon us; the first Test match of the series will be held at the Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. With all the chaos that Indian cricket has recently witnessed, things are expected to be tricky for the Indians when they visit the lion’s den with one of their top batters, Rohit Sharma being sidelined with an injury.

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain in the longest format of the sport will be an important key to India’s hopes in the hostile conditions of South Africa. India can ill afford to be casual in conditions offering brutal pace and rambunctious bounce.

However, as Cape Town beckons, there have been a few former Indian cricketing greats who have graced the city with their towering presence. Let's take a look at all those top Indian performers who excelled in the mighty verdant pastures of the Mother City despite the rollicking dominance of the hosts.

Sachin Tendulkar

Needless to say, but the Master Blaster was the one who dictated all pastures like a king and Cape Town was no exception to that. He played 4 Test matches in which he batted in 7 innings and piled up 489 runs at a staggering average of 81.50. He also stitched together a couple of centuries and two half-centuries in his pursuit of excellence. He posted 169 as his highest exploits in the longest format of the game at Cape Town.

Javagal Srinath

Despite the sheer contrast in the number of wickets vis-à-vis the sublime Proteas bowlers, Javagal Srinath imposed himself upon his counterparts in a mighty fine display of excellence. From the two matches he bowled in, he claimed a staggering 12 wickets and became the highest Indian wicket-taker. He claimed his spoils at a fine average of 24.33 and his best figures at Cape Town were 4 for 33.

Anil Kumble

The Indian leg-spinner was one of a kind and stung all other nations that he faced. In Cape Town, he was a part of 3 Test matches that saw him bowling in 6 innings where he went on to claim 11 crucial scalps. He peppered the Proteas with some mind-boggling mystery and tormented them on a surface that always sided with the fast bowlers’ brutality.

Wriddhimaan Saha as a wicket-keeper

It is quite obvious that one may question the inclusion of Saha to this prestigious list but the young Indian was a part of just one Test match and he managed to affect 10 dismissals that is quite a record in itself. All 10 of them were catches and the youngster was just one dismissal shy of being on level pegging with Australian icon, Adam Gilchrist.