India vs South Africa is not just a cricket rivalry.IND vs SA
It is courage vs challenge, technique vs raw pace, and respect vs fierce competition.
Two nations. Two cricketing cultures. And endless unforgettable moments.
But among all these memories, one moment stands above the rest—
The Eden Gardens Miracle of 2010.
A moment that still makes Indian fans smile…
And South African fans admire the brilliance.
Let’s relive it.
The Build-Up: South Africa Dominates the First Test
The 2010 Test series began with pure destruction.
- South Africa crushed India by an innings in Nagpur.
- Dale Steyn bowled one of his greatest spells ever: 7/51.
- Hashim Amla was unstoppable with back-to-back centuries.
The world No. 1 Indian Test team looked lost.
Critics said:
“India can’t handle top-tier pace.”
“This is going to be a whitewash.”
Eden Gardens was supposed to be the decider of pride.
Day 1 & 2: South Africa Takes Control Again
At Kolkata, things didn’t start well either.
- Amla scored another majestic century.
- Kallis anchored the innings beautifully.
- South Africa posted a big total of 296, and India’s reply was shaky.
But then…
The match turned into one of the most dramatic comebacks in Test history.
The Turning Point: Harbhajan Singh’s Roar
With the crowd roaring like a storm,
Harbhajan Singh India’s fighter ,turned the Test around.
He delivered magical spin, ripping through the Proteas lineup:
- Kallis: Gone.
- AB de Villiers: Gone.
- Duminy: Gone.
- Boucher: Gone.
Eden Gardens was trembling.
South Africa went from stable to struggling.
Harbhajan took 5 wickets and brought India right back into the match.
But the Real Drama? It Happened on the Final Day.
South Africa needed to survive the entire Day 5 to save the Test.
And they almost did.
This is where the match became legendary.
Final Hour, Final Over, Final Ball – The Entire World Watching
South Africa’s last-wicket pair, Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel, fought bravely.
- Amla was invincible…
- Morkel was surviving like a wall…
Minutes turned into seconds.
Overs turned into heartbeats.
The match reached the final over of the 5th day.
Everyone in the stadium stood up.
Millions glued to TV.
Commentators breathless.
Harbhajan Singh ran in…
The Moment: Harbhajan Traps Morkel – India Win on the Last Possible Ball
A flighted delivery.
Sharp turn.
Big appeal.
Out!!!!
Morne Morkel was trapped LBW.
Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 123*—one of the greatest fighting knocks ever.
But India won the match.
India won the Test on the final ball of the five-day match.
You read that right.
The VERY LAST BALL.
Eden Gardens exploded.
The commentary box exploded.
The cricket world exploded.
This wasn’t just a win.
This was Test cricket at its peak.
Why This Match Is So Special in IND vs SA History
- It had superstars at their best – Amla, Steyn, Sehwag, Laxman, Harbhajan.
- It was a comeback after humiliation in the first Test.
- It showed India’s fighting spirit and South Africa’s resilience.
- It ended on the last ball of Day 5, a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
- It preserved India’s world No. 1 Test ranking.
This Test was everything cricket is meant to be—
Drama, passion, skill, courage, and heart.
Final Thought
Whenever India and South Africa face each other—
whether it’s a Test, ODI, T20, or A match
fans remember the fierce battles, the mutual respect, and the unforgettable history.
But the Eden Gardens Miracle of 2010
remains one of the greatest cricket stories ever told.
A story where both teams played like warriors,
but destiny chose its winner on one final ball.
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