The renowned Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata has been the setting for numerous memorable cricket matches, and competing at this venue is akin to etching your name in the annals of history. For South Africa, the ground holds special importance as it served as the backdrop for their comeback to International Cricket.
November 10, 991, remains one of the most iconic days in the game’s history as South Africa made its comeback to international cricket after a two-decade hiatus, playing an ODI in Kolkata at the Eden Gardens.
Apartheid policy, which enforced racial segregation and barred non-white players from playing for the national team, resulted in South Africa’s banishment from international cricket in 1970.
India welcomed South Africa back into the cricket family. The late Jagmohan Dalmiya, then-BCCI secretary, was instrumental in organising a three-ODI trip, with the first match slated for November 10, 1991, in the City of Joy.
The South African team, led by Clive Rice, was greeted warmly in Kolkata, also known as the ‘City of Joy.’ Fans lined the path from the airport to the team hotel, showering flowers on the guests.
The first match marked South Africa’s first-ever ODI and their maiden encounter with India in any form of cricket.
On that day, 41-year-old Clive Rice led the South African team, which included several debutants. Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin won the toss and chose to field, and the hosts were able to restrict the visitors to 177/8 in a weather-affected 47-over innings. A total of 177 was never going to threaten the Indian batsmen, but South Africa put up a valiant fight, led from the front by rookie Allan Donald. Donald broke onto the scene, ripping through India’s top order.
His five-wicket haul (5/29) gave the Proteas a chance, but 19-year-old Sachin Tendulkar’s gutsy half-century (66) and Pravin Amre’s magnificent knock of 55 runs guaranteed the home team’s victory.