India's Poor 1st Test Records

The past 10 years has been one of a transition for Team India. Under Ganguly, we notched up several away test wins and have become better travellers. Under Dhoni, we finally became the World No.1. But, we are still slow starters and our performances in the first test of every series have been under par over the years.

Here are some stats:

In the last ten years, India has played 30 test series home and away(excluding Bangladesh and Zimbabwe). We have won 13, lost 11 and drawn 6.

In those 30 test series India has managed to win 7, lose 10 and draw 13 first test matches. This clearly shows that Team India takes time to adapt to the opposition, the conditions etc.

Another interesting stat is that India has managed to win a series after winning the first test 6 out of 7 times. India has managed to comeback and win a series after losing the first test only once- against Australia in India (2001).

So, if we go by these stats, the chances of India leveling the series against South Africa seem to be low.