After clinching the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, the India cricket team are gearing up for the upcoming 2-match Test series. The Boxing Day Test kicks off on December 26, featuring captains Rohit Sharma and Temba Bavuma. Before the action unfolds at the SuperSport Park, let's delve into India and South Africa's track records at this ground.
Test Records at SuperSport Park for India & South Africa:
|
Matches |
India |
South Africa |
|
Played |
3 |
28 |
|
Won |
1 |
22 |
|
Lost |
2 |
3 |
|
Drawn |
0 |
3 |
India have participated in 3 matches at Centurion, having a 1-2 win/loss ratio. Contrastingly, the hosts possess a dominant 22-3 win/loss record, having faced their last defeat in 2021 at this venue.
SuperSports Park Test Statistics and Milestones:
Over 28 years (1995–2023), SuperSport Park has hosted 28 Tests, with an average first-innings score of 330.
Despite 330 being a substantial total, the team batting second has emerged victorious in 12 matches. The ground hasn't displayed a clear advantage for the winning team, recording a close 13-12 win/loss ratio.
South Africa posted the highest score of 621/10 here in 2020 against Sri Lanka. Conversely, England holds the record for the lowest total of 101/10 in 2016 against South Africa.
Hashim Amla's 208 in 2014 stands as the best individual batting score at this ground. Likewise, Kagiso Rabada's remarkable figures of 13 wickets for 144 runs in 2016 mark the best bowling performance.
The highest successful run chase stands at 249 by England against South Africa in 2000. Notably, this Test was affected by rain, leading to the forfeiture of the 2nd and 3rd innings by both teams, adding an element of unpredictability to the outcome.
India, however, have another issue at their hands currently in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s finger injury. The injury seems to have cut short Ruturaj Gaikwad's South African tour, ruling him out of the two-match Test series starting on December 26. This further complicates India's injury woes, with Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan already sidelined due to injuries and personal reasons prompting speculation about the selectors' choice for a replacement.