Sachin Tendulkar’s Test tons against South Africa : 7. 146 vs South Africa in Cape Town

Seven Test tons against South Africa

Apart from the ODIs, Tendulkar has also scored some stupendous knock in the Test matches against South Africa. Many cricket experts rate his 169 at Cape Town as one of the top five innings of his Test career. Here is a list of all his Test tons against the Proteas.

1. 111 vs South Africa in Johannesburg

November 26, 1992: In a match where the other Indian batsmen proved to be a terrible failure, Sachin scored runs with ease on a seaming track. Such was India’s performance in the first innings that Kapil Dev (25) was the highest scorer for the team after Tendulkar (111) who fell for a nelson.

Result: Match drawn

2. 169 vs South Africa in Cape Town

January 2, 1997: India were touring South Africa and they were humiliated in the first Test. The start of the second Test was no different as the likes of Allan Donald, Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock ripped apart the Indian top order and India were struggling at 58/5.

But Tendulkar was at the crease and he found a helping hand in Azharuddin as both these batsmen displayed a superb show of bravery as they tackled the pacers and shared 222 runs between them. As a result of this incredible partnership, India reached a total of 359 runs. Till date, it is believed to be one of Tendulkar’s finest knocks.

Result: South Africa won by 282 runs

3. 155 vs South Africa in Bloemfontein

November 3, 2001: After the triangular series, India and Proteas played a three-match Test series.

In the first Test, India were batting first and were soon wobbling at 68/4. But from there on, Tendulkar and debutant Virender Sehwag scored runs freely and punished the South African bowlers with a 220-run stand for the fifth wicket. Tendulkar played some lovely strokes and scored 23 boundaries and a six.

Result: South Africa won by 9 wickets

4. 100 vs South Africa in Nagpur

February 6, 2010: Just after the Bangladesh tour, India came back home where they had to play a series with South Africa.

In the first Test, India were in total command when South Africa lost their first two wickets for just 6 runs on the board. But from there onwards, Hashim Amla (253) and Jacques Kallis (173) played two scintillating knocks and put on 340 runs for the third wicket, making a mockery of the Indian bowling attack. The visitors put a mammoth 558 runs on the board and then bundled out India for just 233 runs in their first innings, taking a massive lead of 325 runs.

In the second innings, India kept losing wickets regularly, and Tendulkar was the only batsman who looked rock solid at the crease. The batting legend scored 100 runs before being dismissed by Paul Harris, and the Proteas went on to win the match.

Result: SA won by an innings and six runs

5. 106* vs South Africa in Kolkata

February 14, 2010: India gave a strong reply to South Africa in the second Test where they bundled out the Proteas for 296 runs in the first innings. India batsmen were in a different mood as four of them scored tons. Sehwag, in particular, was at his brutal best as he hammered 165 off just 174 balls and was involved in a 249-run stand for the third wicket with Tendulkar (106). Indian innings witnessed another massive partnership of 259 runs for the seventh wicket between VVS Laxman (143*) and skipper MS Dhoni (132*). It was Tendulkar’s 47th Test ton, and his innings comprised of 12 boundaries. India took a huge 347-run lead over the visitors which proved decisive at the end.

Result: India won by an innings and 57 runs

6. 111* vs South Africa in Centurion

December 16, 2010: India toured South Africa in December 2010. It was a series where Sachin Tendulkar played two gem of an innings.

In the first Test, India were bowled out for 136 in the first innings and the hosts posted a massive score of 620 runs to take a huge lead of 484 runs. In the second innings, Team India hit the field with a different mindset and openers – Sehwag and Gambhir added 137 runs for the first wicket. The other batsmen failed to impress but Tendulkar played a great knock for his side and stayed at the crease for more than five hours against the fiery pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Sachin found some company in MS Dhoni (90), as the duo added 172 runs for the seventh wicket partnership.

Tendulkar scored 13 boundaries and a six and was hailed for his determination to fight the battle alone for his side. It was also a special knock for the batting maestro as it was his 50th Test ton.

Result: SA won by an innings and 25 runs

7. 146 vs South Africa in Cape Town

January 2, 2011: India won the second Test of the series and the series was leveled at 1-1. The third Test was played at Centurion.

Dhoni won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. South Africa scored 362 runs in the first innings, courtesy a 161-run knock from Jacques Kallis. India looked in a critical state at 28/2, but opener Gambhir along with Tendulkar added 176 runs for the third wicket partnership.

India took a slender lead of just two runs in the innings but once again, Tendulkar stole the show and was given a standing ovation from the crowd the moment he reached his century.

Result: Match drawn