The South African Under-19 team toured India in March-April 1996 for a three Test series. Punjab youngster Dinesh Mongia who had made his first class debut less than two months earlier was part of the team. A knock of 88 in one of the tour games against the visitors sealed his place for the first Test at Mohali. The four day Test at his home ground was played on a traditional green top and the Indians floundered against a four pronged pace attack on the first morning.

Boasting a top six of Shiv Sunder Das, Reetinder Sodhi, Dinesh Mongia, Jyoti Yadav, Sanjay Raul and Hemang Badani, the Indian lads were trundled out for just 135 in less than 49 overs. Mornantau Hayward and Makhya Ntini were the kingpins of the attack. The latter had Mongia edging one to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for just 11. The highest score of the innings was only 24, made by No 10 batsman Harvinder Singh.

The South Africans didn't fare much better and quickly plunged to 145/9 before a last wicket partnership of 91 opened up a handy first innings lead of 101. Batting second the Indians lost Sodhi for 8, at which point Mongia strode in at his customary No.3. He was caught behind by Boucher for the second time but not before fighting his way to a splendid 103 in very trying circumstances. Badani's 36 was the next highest score as India settled at 258, leaving their opponents a fourth innings target of 158. The visitors were a comfortable 101/3 at one stage but then slumped to 131/8. Would India pull off a surprise victory? It was not to be. The South Africans sneaked home by two wickets.

To this day Mongia is certain the hundred here is still his best ever innings. He narrowly missed another hundred by just six runs in the second Test, which was drawn. India levelled the series in the third and final game and Mongia rounded off a satisfying series by finishing as the highest rungetter with 297 runs.