As India and South Africa gear up for their much-awaited Test series starting November 14 at Eden Gardens, memories of one of the most breathtaking partnerships between the two nations come flooding back. The 222-run stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin at Cape Town in 1997 still remains one of the most iconic stands in the matchup. That innings, forged under immense pressure, remains one of the biggest examples to India’s fighting spirit even in defeat. The upcoming series, led by Shubman Gill for India and Temba Bavuma for South Africa, promises its own chapters of drama and brilliance. But for those who witnessed that unforgettable day in Cape Town, the benchmark of courage was set approximately 28 years back.
India’s tour of South Africa in 1996/97 had begun disastrously in Durban, where pacer Allan Donald and company dismantled the visitors for 100 and 66. At Newlands, facing a first-innings mountain of 529 for seven declared, India once again crumbled to 58 for five. It was then that Tendulkar and Azharuddin turned the tide with a gargantuan effort, winning hearts and etching a partnership that will be remembered for generations. The two adopted contrasting methods but were united in purpose. In only the first hour after lunch, the duo smashed over 100 runs on the flow. The passage of play remains among the most exhilarating in Test history. With Nelson Mandela watching from the stands, Tendulkar and Azharuddin dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack of Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Brian McMillan and Paul Adams. Tendulkar’s 169 was an exhibition of precise attacking and control, while Azharuddin’s 115 from 110 balls was all power.The partnership ended at 222 when Azhar was run out, and only a spectacular catch from Adam Bacher could dismiss Tendulkar. Even South African fans applauded the brilliance they had witnessed. Despite all the heroics, India eventually lost by 282 runs, but that partnership remains etched in cricketing memory. As South Africa now return to India for their first Test series since 2019, anticipation runs high. The two-match series, first in Kolkata and then in Guwahati, will also mark Rishabh Pant’s Test comeback, with the wicketkeeper-batter named vice-captain. For the hosts, it is a chance to strengthen their World Test Championship campaign, while for the visitors, a test against India’s depth and resilience in home conditions await.
Poll
Which player do you think will stand out in the upcoming Test series?
For fans though, memories of Tendulkar and Azharuddin’s defiance in Cape Town joins a list of iconic moments this rivalry has often delivered – be it Virender Sehwag’s century on his Test debut, or the unplayable delivery from S Sreesanth to Jacques Kallis.
