India have played twice at Centurion and it was not a happy affair for the side as they lost both matches, but MS Dhoni’s team had the privilege of watching Sachin Tendulkar score his 50th ton in Tests.
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Centurion is a fortress for South Africa, much like how the Gabba was for Australia. While the Gabbatoir has been breached by India, they have not managed to beat the Proteas at Centurion Park. India has played twice at Centurion in 2010 and 2018. In 2010, India lost by an innings and 25 runs while eight years later, India suffered a collapse and suffered a 135-run defeat. The year 2010, though, saw something special. Although India lost the match, it witnessed a special inning from Sachin Tendulkar. It was a match that had an emotional appeal in the form of Jacques Kallis finally breaking the rut. Even in a loss, Tendulkar and MS Dhoni’s team gave the fans plenty of smiles.
The tour of South Africa was an important one for India. It was the final tour before the ICC World Cup in 2011. A wonderful performance in South Africa, a country where they had struggled in the past would give them a major boost for the World Cup at home. But, in the quest to have a good future, the present began badly for India.
South Africa chose to bowl in overcast conditions. But, the match started late with rain washing off the first two sessions. It had rained for a long time in Centurion but towards the evening session, the rain cleared. On a green pitch with plenty of moisture, South Africa made optimum use of the conditions. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel tore through the Indian batting with great swing and pace.
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Sachin Tendulkar took the attack to South Africa and hit eight glorious fours in his 34-ball 36. But, once he was trapped LBW by Steyn, the rest of the batting floundered. A few big hits by MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh got India past 100. But, Morne Morkel took 5/20 and bowled India out for 136. By the end of the first day, India was already on the backfoot.
On day 2, when the pitch had eased off, South Africa took the attack to the Indian bowlers. Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen strung a 111-run stand to give South Africa a solid platform. Hashim Amla continued his magnificent form with 140 but it was the partnership between Kallis and AB de Villiers that took the game away from India.
De Villiers was severe on the part-time spin of Suresh Raina, hammering him for sixes at will. Kallis also joined him and tore the Indian bowling to shreds. The 224-run stand between Kallis and de Villiers pushed South Africa past 600. Along the way, Kallis celebrated a milestone as he finally scored a double century. His family was present at the venue. After 15 years of playing international cricket, Kallis finally notched up a double ton that mattered. India now faced a massive, uphill task.
India started off well in the second innings. Trailing by 486 runs, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir started off like a train. In just under 30 overs, the duo had reached 137 with Sehwag on 63 and Gambhir on 80. Sehwag was dismissed by Paul Harris while Gambhir was trapped LBW by Steyn.
South Africa was pressing home the advantage. But, in stepped Sachin Tendulkar and he decided to make it a memorable occasion. Rahul Dravid and Ishant Sharma defied the South Africa bowlers and put up a strong resistance. Tendulkar stitched partnerships with them as India entertained the thought of erasing the deficit. But, at 277/6, it looked like the game was over for India.
But, Tendulkar was joined by MS Dhoni and they stitched a magnificent partnership. Dhoni was at his aggressive best while Tendulkar played the sheet anchor role. The partnership of Dhoni and Tendulkar was worth 172 runs and the match went to the fifth day. Dhoni missed out on a ton but Tendulkar blasted his 50th century to create history.
Tendulkar’s exploits ensured that India dragged the match into the fifth day. Although they capitulated cheaply, Tendulkar ended unbeaten on 111. India lost the match by an innings but they ensured they did not lose the mental edge. Dhoni’s team came back in grand style with a win in Durban. In the final Test at Cape Town, Tendulkar overcame an inspired spell from Steyn to register his 51st century. The 2010 tour of South Africa would be the last time Tendulkar would score a hundred in Tests. India lost the ODI series 2-3 but they went on to win the World Cup in grand style. The foundation of India’s mental strength was probably laid in Centurion.
