How India fared in their previous tours of South Africa

India's tour to South Africa 2001-02

Sachin scored 155 vs South Africa in the first Test at Bloemfontein

The Saurav Ganguly led Indian team toured South Africa for a 3 Test series in late November 2001. They lost the Test series 1-0. The second test was marred by the suspensions leveled by the match referee Mike Deness. India and South Africa agreed to play the third Test match, which was deemed unofficial by ICC.

In the first test, India scored formidable total thanks to centuries from Tendulkar and debutant Virender Sehwag at Bloemfontein. South Africa responded splendidly and India ended up losing the match. India managed to draw the second test at Port Elizabeth thanks mainly to Rahul Dravid's efforts in second innings. In the triangular series that followed, India lost to South Africa in the final.

The Highs and Lows

Virender Sehwag's ton on debut was a big high for India. The second test turned out to be controversial as match referee Mike Deness suspended as many as 6 Indian players for excessive appealing and Sachin Tendulkar in particular for ball tampering. This caused massive outrage in India.

India and South Africa played an unofficial Test match in the absence of the match referee. India's loss to Kenya in the tri-series was another low point. India managed to beat South Africa in one of the round robin matches at Centurion.