5 memorable ODIs wins by Team India against Proteas in South Africa

#3 Cape Town (2011)

Former India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan. Pic: Getty Images

The Indians registered a close two-wicket win over South Africa in the third match of a five-game series in Cape Town in January 2011. Chasing 221, the visitors lost half of their side for 93, with Rohit Sharma, Kohli, ,MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh all back in the hut. However, Yusuf Pathan (59) and Suresh Raina (37) featured in a 75-run stand for the sixth-wicket to rescue India. Harbhajan Singh also chipped in an unbeaten 23 as India got home with 10 balls to spare.

On the bowling front, Zaheer Khan picked up 3 for 43, while Munaf Patel and Harbhajan claimed two wickets each. Yousuf Pathan, meanwhile, chipped in with the big wicket of AB de Villiers (16). Faf du Plessis (60) and Jean-Paul Duminy (52) played useful knocks for the Proteas. However, the lower order stumbled as South Africa went from 200 for 4 to 220 all out.

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#2 Centurion (2001)

Harbhajan Singh celebrates a wicket. Pic: Getty Images

India registered another brilliant victory over South Africa in Centurion in the third ODI of a triangular series in October 2001. It was a clinical all-round show against a quality South African outfit. India batted first and put up a decent 233. Rahul Dravid top-scored with 54 while useful contributions came from Yuvraj Singh (42), Sachin Tendulkar (38) and Virender Sehwag (33). The bowlers then played their part as the Proteas were cleaned up for 192 in 46.2 overs as India registered a 41-run win.

Harbhajan Singh was the standout bowler for India with figures of 3 for 27. He dismissed Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Nicky Boje. Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag chipped in with two wickets apiece as the Proteas were on the backfoot right through the chase. Lance Klusener (44) and Mark Boucher (38) helped South Africa recover from 85 for 5, but they never threatened to pull off the chase.

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#1 Johannesburg (2011)

Munaf Patel bowled a brilliant spell during the 2011 Johannesburg ODI. Pic: Getty Images

Munaf Patel (4/29) bowled India to an unbelievable win in the second ODI of a five-match series in January 2011. India managed only 190 batting first. In response, the Proteas were cruising at 152 for 4 in the 33rd over when Graeme Smith was bowled for 77 by Patel. The pacer returned at the death to dismiss Morne Morkel (6) and Wayne Parnell (12) as India pulled off a sensational win. From 160 for 5, the hosts collapsed to 189.

India’s total of 190 was build around Yuvraj’s 53 and skipper MS Dhoni’s 38. However, the lower order could not contribute much. The visitors themselves crumbled from a comfortable 150 for 3 as Lonwabo Tsotsobe was excellent with 4 for 22. Patel’s brilliance, however, turned the match on its head as the Proteas choked once again.