It's all square between India and South Africa in the ongoing three-match Test series as the two heavyweights of the game get ready for the decider in Cape Town. With the series at 1-1, little separates the two sides, but history is not on India's side when it comes to Cape Town. In five previous encounters in the famous city, Team India has remained winless; draws in 1993 and 2011 remain the only occasions on which India have avoided defeat.
Here is a look at India's performances in Cape Town:
1993: Boring affair ended in a draw
Memories of some games last a lifetime, but this one will only be remembered for lunchtime, such was the contest when the two nations met in 1993. No hundreds, no fifers meant that there was no single stand-out performer in the match, which ended in a draw. With only four fifties from both the camps combined the match ended in a share of spoils as South Africa declared in both the innings with scores of 360/9 and 130/6. India in reply scored 276 in the first innings and 29/1 in the second innings as the match ended in a draw. Javagal Srinath was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ for his 51/2 and 33/4.
1997: One of India's most disappointing Test defeats
With three centurions in the first innings, South Africa 529/7 with Gary Kirsten (103), Brian McMillan (103) and Lance Klusener (102) set a massive total. Despite, 58/5 in the first innings, India still managed to score 359 with tons from captain Sachin Tendulkar(169) and Mohammed Azharuddin (115). But the Indian batting collapsed in the second innings as they were reduced to 144 in front of Allan Donald (3) and Paul Adams (3) bowling as India lost by 282 runs.
2007: Another batting collapse takes away first series win opportunity from Rahul Dravid's men
With series at 1-1 and India posting 414 in the first innings, things were only looking upwards before another collapse followed in the second innings. Wasim Jaffer's 116 in the first innings was enough for India to establish a first-innings lead of 41 when the hosts were bowled out for 373. But an inspired Dale Steyn took four wickets to break the backs of the Indian batting order as Team India were bowled out for 169. With 211 runs to chase Graeme Smith led from the front with another fifty to secure the win and pocket the Test series 2-1.
2011: New team, same old story
With two months for the World Cup, veteran Jacques Kallis scored 161 and 109 unbeaten in the second innings to lead the Proteas to a score of 362 and 341 in their two innings. India (364 and 166/3) managed to have a handy two-run lead in the first innings but had no time to chase the total of 340 in the second innings as the match ended in a draw. Kallis was adjudged both 'Man of the Match' and 'Man of the Series'. Sachin Tendulkar did manage to score 146 in the first innings, which eventually turned out to be his 49th and last Test hundred.
2018: Regrettable loss last time out
With 208 runs needed and two chunks of two days in hand, Virat Kohli's men blew a good chance of winning the match which ultimately cost them the series. Chasing 208, Kohli and Co. were dismissed for a shambolic 135 as Vernon Philander hunted down Team India. Six Indian batters fell prey to the fast bowler as India lost by 72 runs. Earlier, Indian bowlers had restricted South Africa to 286 and 130 in their two innings; Indian pacers were on full song as they managed to pick up all 10 wickets in the second innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami both ended with three wickets each in the second innings.
