IND vs SA Test series: 4 memorable Indian Test debuts against Proteas

The India vs South Africa Test series begins on Monday with the first match taking place in Visakhapatnam. This tournament will be a part of the ICC World Test Championships. The series holds great importance for both Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. On the eve of the first Test, let us take a look down memory lane and take a look at four Indians who made memorable Test debuts against the Proteas.

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Pravin Amre

In his debut innings in 1992 against South Africa, Pravin Amre walked in to bat at a crucial point in the match as the top order failed to deliver. Sachin Tendulkar made 11 before getting run out. Mohammad Azharuddin, the captain, also got run out at 36. Ravi Shastri could only manage 14 runs on the scoresheet. Among this line-up which was heavily impacted by the Proteas bowling attack, Amre stood tall on his debut and scored 103 runs. His innings was instrumental in India getting a small lead on SA which was enough to force a second innings and tie the match. 

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Virender Sehwag

Sehwag rose to the status of an icon in very less time because of his flamboyant batting for the Indian team. Sehwag, who has two Test triple-hundreds, made his Test debut in this match against the Proteas in 2001. The Indian top order had collapsed and only Tendulkar had kept his end secure, a young Sehwag came out to bat at number six and the rest is history. Sehwag made 105 in the first innings. South Africa ended up winning the match but this could not take away from the calibre that Sehwag possessed. 

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VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman, throughout his career, was hailed as a Test specialist. The batsman was hailed for his technical abilities and he demonstrated these in his very first match at the highest level. He made his debut against South Africa in 1996 in a low-scoring match. India won the match in the second innings and this was possible because of the anchor VVS Laxman acted as. Only Laxman scored a gritty fifty in that match. The Hyderabad-born lad scored a patient 51 and provided stability in the second innings. 

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Jasprit Bumrah

India were touring South Africa in 2018 when Jasprit Bumrah made his Test debut. In the match that was dominated by SA, Bumrah made his impact felt. His first test scalp was AB de Villiers, who got cleaned up at 65 by Bumrah. Bumrah came to his element in the second innings as he now picked up three wickets. He got De Villiers for a second time and sent the Proteas captain Du Plessis back to the pavilion. He later got Quinton de Kock's wicket.   

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