When Team India went on to tour South Africa in the hope of winning the Test match series in the Rainbow Nation after 29 years, everyone felt that this time in the leadership of Virat Kohli, India might end the Test series win drought but unfortunately India failed again as they lost the Test series 1-2. In the decider Test in Cape Town, South Africa defeated India by seven wickets on Friday (January 14).
Proteas maintained their home dominance, while Team India's captain Virat Kohli has earned some unwanted records to his name. Indian bowlers also did not lag behind in contributing to the loss. They might have dominated on the best of the world pitches but could not carve the exact length on the fast pitches of South Africa. Consequently they bore the brunt as they failed to earn their side a coveted victory. The third Test match saw many records being made in Cape Town. Let's have a look at them.
India's Test series defeat in South Africa so far is as follows:
1992/93 - Lost (0-1)
1996/97 - Lost (0-2)
2001/02 - Lost (0-1)
2006/07 - Lost (1-2)
2010/11 - Draw (1-1)
2013/14 - Lost (0-1)
2017/18 - Lost (1-2)
2021/22 - Lost (1-2)
This was the first time under the captaincy of Virat Kohli when India failed to defend a 150 + score in the second innings. In Cape Town Test, India set a target of 212 runs and lost by seven wickets.
Virat Kohli as a Test captain when India set 150+ target
Won - 25
Draw - 2
Lost - 1*
In the terms of losing most Test matches in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries, Kohli has equalled MS Dhoni's record. Now both the captains have come on equal footing with 14 losses.
Indian captain who lost most Test matches in SENA countries
14 - Virat Kohli
14 - MS Dhoni
Most of the lost matches for India in any country under the captaincy of Virat Kohli
6 wins - out of 10 matches played in England
3 wins - out of 7 matches played in Australia
3 wins - out of 5 matches played in South Africa
Indian bowlers disappoint
While South African bowlers stood out in this series, Indian bowlers despite having the best in the line-up failed to match their set standards. It also made a big difference in India's defeat in the Test series.
In the three-match Test series, South African bowlers scalped 59 wickets at an average of 20.13 while Indian bowlers who were overshadowed by South African bowlers snared 43 wickets at an average of 24.58.
South Africa became the only team to do so
In the 21st century, South Africa are the only team so far who have thrice chased down the 200 + target against India in Test cricket. Barring them no other team in the world have been able to do this against India.
