From Kirsten to Klusener to Amla, the Proteas have lit up Eden Gardens over the years

Eden Gardens may have only hosted four Tests in the past 12 years, but the ground remains one of cricket’s great cathedrals. 

Hosts India and the Proteas have enjoyed three classic Test battles at the iconic venue since South Africa’s return from isolation, which ironically began at the storied venue back in 1991.

Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams looks back at the previous clashes ahead of the first Test on Friday. 

Second Test, Eden Gardens, November 27 - December 1, 1996

South Africa: 428 (Andrew Hudson 146, Gary Kirsten 102, Venkatesh Prasad 6/104) & 367/3 dec (Gary Kirsten 133, Daryl Cullinan 153*)

India: 329 (Mohammad Azharuddin 109, Anil Kumble 88) & 137 (Mohammad Azharuddin 52, Klusener 8/64)

South Africa won by 329 runs

One of the most memorable Proteas’ Tests even 29 years later. Openers Andrew Hudson (146) and Gary Kirsten (133) set up the Test with a mammoth 236-run opening stand. Venkatesh Prasad kept the hosts in the contest with a six-wicket haul, before Mohammad Azharuddin blitzed 109 off just 77 balls. 

The Proteas maintained the pressure with Kirsten scoring his second century of the Test before  Daryl Cullinan stroked an elegant 153 not out to set India a mammoth 457 for victory. Debutant Lance Klusener blew away India with figures of 8/64 for the Proteas to complete a historic win.

Second Test, Eden Gardens, November 28 - December 2, 2004

SA: 305 (Jacques Kallis 121) & 222 (Harbhajan Singh 7/87)

India: 411 (Virender Sehwag 88, Rahul Dravid 80, Ntini 4/112) & 120/2 

India won by eight wickets

The Proteas’ did not enjoy a happy return to Kolkata eight years later. From the moment captain Graeme Smith was dismissed on the second ball of the Test, the visitors were playing catch-up. Jacques Kallis tried to keep the first innings together with a fighting century, but a 106-run deficit was always going to prove pivotal. A second innings collapse ensued with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh running through the Proteas with a seven-wicket haul to set up a comfortable target for the hosts to chat. It was also the debut of future Proteas legend Hashim Amla, who would transform Eden Gardens into his personal playground six years later. 

Second Test, Eden Gardens, February 14 - 18, 2010

SA 229/2 to 296 all out, SA: 296 (Alviro Petersen 100, Hashim Amla 114, Zaheer Khan 4/90, Harbhajan Singh 3/64), South Africa: 290 (Hashim Amla 123*, Harbhajan Singh 5/59)

India: 643/6 dec (Virender Sehwag 165, Sachin Tendulkar 106, VVS Laxman 143)

India won by an innings and 57 runs

Despite the early loss of Graeme Smith again, debutant Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla set up the Proteas first innings with a 209-stand for the second wicket. Petersen celebrated his first cap with a century and Amla was in the midst of a purple patch, scoring his first of two centuries in the Test. But an almighty collapse saw the Proteas lose nine wickets for 78 to be bundled out for under 300. India’s batting legends Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman showed just what a good pitch it was by powering the hosts to a mammoth 643/6 declared.

From thereon it was pure survival mode for the Proteas, with Amla spending an enormous 499 minutes at the crease, facing 394 balls, in an attempt to salvage the Test and secure the series win. He found a willing partner in last-man Morne Morkel, who survived 60 balls before being trapped by the brilliant Harbhajan Singh with just nine balls remaining in the Test.