Published: Jul 10, 2016, 04:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 10, 2016, 04:23 PM (IST)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit to Durban spoke about cricket in front of the ecstatic supporters. In his civic reception at the South African city, Modi spoke about how cricket improves relations between the two countries. India and South Africa have always share a friendly relationship with each other. India were the first team to play South Africa in an One-Day International (ODI) after they were reinstated as a Test nation in 1991. The last time these two teams met was in 2015, when South Africa toured India. The visitors won the T20I series 2-0 and ODI series 3-2, but were beaten by the hosts 3-0 in the Test series. ALSO READ: PM Modi questions over moving of IPL matches
Speaking in front of the ecstatic supporters, Modi was quoted by timesofindia as saying, “Being in South Africa, especially in Durban , if I don’t talk about cricket, it would be a no ball. Love for this game runs wide and deep in our societies and cricket is an important part of our relations.”
The South African players are warmly welcomed and adored by the Indian faithfuls. During the Indian Premier League (IPL), the likes of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Quinton de Kock are treated by the Indian crowd as one of their own. Some of the players also share a fruitful relationship with Indian stalwarts.
Since its reinstatement in ICC, South Africa have played India in 76 ODIs and 29 Tests. The African nation has always had a upper hand over the subcontinent team, with them winning 45 ODI matches and 13 Test matches.
