India ended 2021 by doing what no other team in the country has done in the past – winning a Test match against South Africa at Centurion. Now South Africa have the responsibility to start 2022, which no other South African team has done in the past – Wanderers, beating India in a Test match at Johannesburg – if they are to survive the 3-match series.
India have taken a rare 1-0 lead in South Africa and are looking to register their maiden Test series win in the Rainbow Nation. Second Test in Johannesburg from 3 january
South Africa has always been seen as the last front for Virat Kohli’s all-conquering Test side as Indian teams in the past have struggled to stay consistent on fast-paced pitches in the Rainbow Nation. However, his performance at the Wanderers in Johannesburg has been an anomaly.
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India have played 21 Tests in South Africa and won just 4, but have never lost at the Wanderers, which is known as one of the fastest pitches in the country.
India have played 5 Tests in Johannesburg and have won 2 and drawn 3. India last won the coveted spot in 2018, when the Virat Kohli-led side took to a dangerous pitch, angered by their defeat in the first two matches of the series. defeated South Africa.
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India wandering in Johannesburg
Played 5, Won -2, Draw – 1, Lost 0
draw in 1992
draw in 1997
win in 2006
draw in 2013
win in 2018
Notably, Rahul Dravid, who is currently touring South Africa as India’s coach, led India to a historic victory in Johannesburg in 2006 – India’s first Test match win in South Africa. This was also the place where Dravid scored his first Test century in 1997. India came close to victory in the said year but wet weather spoiled the game.
I Can’t Tell Exactly Why: Dravid On The Domination Of India’s Wanderers
When asked about India’s exceptional record at the Wanderers, Dravid while talking to the press on Saturday said that he cannot point fingers as to why India did well at the venue.
“For some reason, the boys have always enjoyed playing at Wanderers. It’s a fast pitch, but the bounce probably isn’t quite as much as it was in Centurion before. It’s a weird one, it’s one of those things, I’m on reason Can’t lift a finger properly.
“It may be a familiarity with the city, for some reason we’ve always done well there and it’s hard to figure out why, but I really hope we continue to do it,” he said.
Notably, India is the only visiting team that has not been beaten at the Wanderer so far.
Visiting Teams at Wanderers
- Australia – played 12, won 6, lost 4, drew 2
- England – played 10, won 4, lost 3, drew 3
- India – played 5, won 2, lost 0, drew 3
- New Zealand, played 6, won 1, lost 3, drew 2
- Pakistan – played 4, won 0, lost 3, drew 1
- Sri Lanka – played 3, won 0, lost 3
- West Indies – 2 played, 0 won, 0 lost
Virat Kohli will be hoping to lead with the bat in his favorite hunting ground. The India captain has scored 310 runs in 2 Tests, including a century and 2 fifties at the venue.