5 forgotten victories of India under Rahul Dravid's captaincy

#3 1st Test vs South Africa (Johannesburg) – 2006

Sreesanth dances after belting Andre Nel for a six in the second innings

In nine attempts, India had never won a Test match in South Africa. But in 2006, when India toured the African nation, things turned drastically.

In the first Test, India were to face a stern test with some quality fast bowling. Batting first, the visitors were rocked and exposed with some superb bowling as they were bowled out for 249 (Ganguly top-scored with an unbeaten 51). Pollock and Ntini shared 7 wickets between them to put India on the back foot.

India’s bowling line-up looked good but they needed to deliver. And they did just that. A fiery spell from Sreesanth helped the visitors dismiss the Proteas for a mere 84 and consequently gain control of the Test match.

On the back of Laxman’s sublime 73 under pressure, India scored 236 to set South Africa a target of 402. The Proteas batsmen did show better fight but they crumbled under pressure as Kumble, Sreesanth and Zaheer shared 3 wickets each to help India win their maiden Test on South African soil.

Brief Scores: India 249 (Ganguly 51*, Pollock 4-39, Ntini 3/57) and 236 (Laxman 73, Pollock 3/33, Nel 3/58) beat South Africa 84 (Sreesanth 5-40, Kumble 2/2) and 278 (Prince 97, Kumble 3/54, Sreesanth 3/59, Zaheer 3/59, 3/79)