Indian Cricket's Final Frontier - A Test Series Victory in South Africa

[freelance_cricketer]

We have achieved everything else.

ODI world cup - Done
T20 World Cup - Done
U-19 WC - Done
Champions Trophy - Done
Asia Cup - Done
#1 rank in all formats - Done
ODI series win in all nations - Done
Test series win in all nations - ALL EXCEPT SOUTH AFRICA!!!!


There it is.

The final frontier for Indian cricket.

After which, India would have practically ticked off all major milestones in cricket!!

[freelance_cricketer]

Australia has not won a T20 world cup.so they are at par or behind India in terms of ticking all boxes.


Pakistan is quite close to us.

They need to conquer Australia and South Africa to be there.

[szrana007]

India will be favorites to win in SA later this year, while Pakistan isn't winning a test series in SA and Aus anytime soon.

[gazza619]

Australia has not won a T20 world cup.so they are at par or behind India in terms of ticking all boxes.


Pakistan is quite close to us.

They need to conquer Australia and South Africa to be there.

India has opened the gate big time and has set example of how to play in Australia.

Pakistan are low on skill/talent anyway but still the Pakistan team management & fans can no more use the excuse “India also does badly in Australia”.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I will talk about the current team only. Current Indian team under Kohli haven't won ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, CT, series in England, series in NZ, series in Pakistan and South Africa. Steve Waugh called Indian tour in 2001 their final frontier because they were winning matches against every nation left, right and center except India in India.

[RyanRyan10]

We have achieved everything else.

ODI world cup - Done
T20 World Cup - Done
U-19 WC - Done
Champions Trophy - Done
Asia Cup - Done
#1 rank in all formats - Done
ODI series win in all nations - Done
Test series win in all nations - ALL EXCEPT SOUTH AFRICA!!!!


There it is.

The final frontier for Indian cricket.

After which, India would have practically ticked off all major milestones in cricket!!

Ireland and Afghanistan are also test nations

Didn't expect such discrimination from you

[szrana007]

Ireland and Afghanistan are also test nations

Didn't expect such discrimination from you

I agree with the Ireland part, but do you seriously expect India to tour Afghanistan? Afghanistan play their home matches in India anyway.

[jeeteshssaxena]

Australia has not won a T20 world cup.so they are at par or behind India in terms of ticking all boxes.


Pakistan is quite close to us.

They need to conquer Australia and South Africa to be there.

When was Pakistan ranked no. 1 in Odis?

[jeeteshssaxena]

I will talk about the current team only. Current Indian team under Kohli haven't won ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, CT, series in England, series in NZ, series in Pakistan and South Africa. Steve Waugh called Indian tour in 2001 their final frontier because they were winning matches against every nation left, right and center except India in India.

No captain ever won all these trophies.

[szrana007]

When was Pakistan ranked no. 1 in Odis?

In 1990-91, I think.

[freelance_cricketer]

When was Pakistan ranked no. 1 in Odis?

Af some point I presume, no?

[NishanKonar]

India should win in South Africa & very likely win in England or at least draw

My only worry is Kohli's captaincy - which is big liability !

[szrana007]

Af some point I presume, no?

From December 1990 to February 1991, Pak were ranked no.1 in ODI's.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130320....php?year=1990

[sharmaji]

I would add England and NewZealand as well to the list. I mean Test series, of course.

[Ab Fan]

We have achieved everything else.

ODI world cup - Done
T20 World Cup - Done
U-19 WC - Done
Champions Trophy - Done
Asia Cup - Done
#1 rank in all formats - Done
ODI series win in all nations - Done
Test series win in all nations - ALL EXCEPT SOUTH AFRICA!!!!


There it is.

The final frontier for Indian cricket.

After which, India would have practically ticked off all major milestones in cricket!!

This is why, South Africa, not Australia, is the greatest test cricket team of all-time alongside India and Pakistan. They have made sure the two powerhouses of cricket, India and Pakistan don't win a test series in their backyard.

Last time a certain Abraham Benjamin de Villiers denied us a test series win in South Africa or else we would have already ticked off all the boxes. This time though, I expect us to win the test series against the South African team in their own backyard and tick off all the major milestones in international cricket.

Jai Hind!

[szrana007]

I would add England and NewZealand as well to the list. I mean Test series, of course.

No, India have already won 3 series in England and 2 series in New Zealand.

[freelance_cricketer]

I would add England and NewZealand as well to the list. I mean Test series, of course.

India has already conquered those places

[NishanKonar]

This is why, South Africa, not Australia, is the greatest test cricket team of all-time alongside India and Pakistan. They have made sure the two powerhouses of cricket, India and Pakistan don't win a test series in their backyard.

Last time a certain Abraham Benjamin de Villiers denied us a test series win in South Africa or else we would have already ticked off all the boxes. This time though, I expect us to win the test series against the South African team in their own backyard and tick off all the major milestones in international cricket.

Jai Hind!

Jacques Kallis denied us in 2011. In the 3rd test , South Africa was 130-6 with slender lead of 129 in 2nd innings & India looked set for historic win only for Kallis to produce a epic century that led to a draw

[Ab Fan]

Jacques Kallis denied us in 2011. In the 3rd test , South Africa was 130-6 with slender lead of 129 in 2nd innings & India looked set for historic win only for Kallis to produce a epic century that led to a draw

Without a doubt. Twice, two legends have denied us a test series win in South Africa. Hence, South Africa are the greatest test cricket nation of all-time alongside India and Pakistan IMO.

[NishanKonar]

On a different note - India has won just 1 test in New Zealand in past 40 years. Compared to 3 in South Africa , 6 in England & 7 in Australia

Never understood why we struggle so much in New Zealand !

[szrana007]

On a different note -
India has won just 1 test in New Zealand in past 40 years.
Compared to 3 in South Africa , 6 in England & 7 in Australia

Never understood why we struggle so much in New Zealand !

India have won only 1 test in NZL since 1977, so 44 years not 40.

[RyanRyan10]

I agree with the Ireland part, but do you seriously expect India to tour Afghanistan? Afghanistan play their home matches in India anyway.

There are reports that Afghanistan will be hosting their tests in Oman so I would expect India to tour Oman.

Most top8 team fans totally forget that Ireland and Afghanistan are also test playing nations. They deserve more respect from us.

[Nikhil_cric]

When was Pakistan ranked no. 1 in Odis?

2002. After they beat Australia in Australia under Waqar

[szrana007]

2002. After they beat Australia in Australia under Waqar

Nope, they were only no.2 in August 2002.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130320....php?year=2002

[aloo paratha]

They should be able to do it later this year. SA are the weakest they've ever been since readmission in 1991.

[OldWarHorse]

We should do well in SA this time around. We were ok but selections and a certain AB de Villiers ruined our chances last time out. And as Gabba showed, pace and bounce arent as much of a threat for us... however swing is.

So the real test will be England in the summer. We have been outright terrible there. Our stroke players who get sucked in will have to show loads of discipline and restraint.

[Buffet]

Let's see if India can win this time. It won't be as easy as some fans may be thinking. SA has sideways movement as well.

[Nikhil_cric]

Nope, they were only no.2 in August 2002.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130320....php?year=2002

Oh wow. They were just 1 point behind the Aussies. That's still impressive

[Nikhil_cric]

Let's see if India can win this time. It won't be as easy as some fans may be thinking. SA has sideways movement as well.

Wont be easy but as long as we have our best XI, theres a good chance of toppling SA who are the weakest of the SENA countries now. Toss will be crucial for us. England won 3 tosses and won 3 tests.

[Buffet]

Wont be easy but as long as we have our best XI, theres a good chance of toppling SA who are the weakest of the SENA countries now. Toss will be crucial for us. England won 3 tosses and won 3 tests.

Well, if 3 toss goes India's way then it will make it far easier.

[freelance_cricketer]

I wish brothers of destruction India and Pakistan are #1 and #2 in checking all boxes

Ahead of Australia and England

[Mesozoic]

I will talk about the current team only. Current Indian team under Kohli haven't won ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, CT, series in England, series in NZ, series in Pakistan and South Africa. Steve Waugh called Indian tour in 2001 their final frontier because they were winning matches against every nation left, right and center except India in India.

Before the India tour of 2001, Steve Waugh's Australia didn't win series in West Indies, series in Sri Lanka, series in Pakistan and Champions Trophy...but still he called it the "final frontier" .

Just use your brain for once and think why he'd say that.

[Hasan123]

South Africa will be a hard team to beat at home even if this is their weakest side in a long time.

[hitthestump]

India ought to try and face the frontier of their poor head to head record against Pakistan.

[Savak]

South African wickets are tougher than Australian wickets, a lot more pace, bounce and the ball actually seams, swings as well. India definitely has the bowling to take 20 wickets but their batting struggles against seam, swing so that definitely is a concern, i predict a similar performance that we saw in NZ 2-0. Toss will be vital, if India can win the toss and bat first scoring a fighting score in the first innings, their bowlers can put SA under pressure.

[Savak]

Lol, of all the subcontinent teams to break the SA frontier, it turned out to be Sri Lanka. That Kusal innings was a freak tukka, unlikely to be repeated again. The SA just could not recover from that shock which reflected in their implosion in the second test match.