Most Test Runs For India Against South Africa

India and South Africa are two cricket-loving nations. They both are known for producing great talents for their countries. From the beginning, South Africa has a phenomenal pace bowling unit, it is not easy to score against them, as the wickets in South Africa are bouncy, skiddy, and fast bowling friendly. Especially, the batsmen of Asia find it hard to play as they tend to play more front foot shots rather than backfoot. Still, there are some Indians who have adjusted themselves to these conditions and scored plenty of runs. Let’s have a look at the players with the most Test runs for India against South Africa. 

Sachin Tendukar

The greatest batsman of all time, Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs for India against South Africa. In between 1989 and 2011, Tendulkar played 25 test matches for India and accumulated 1741 runs at a decent average of 42.36. Among Sachin’s 7 centuries against them came in South Africa, which refers that he conquered South Africa convincingly. Sachin smacked 169 off 254 in Cape town in 1997, which is his supreme show against the Proteas. 

Virender Sehwag

One of the most deadly openers of all time, Virender Sehwag comes at 2nd place in this list with 1306 runs in 25 matches. Sehwag was ruthless against the South Africans. From scoring his first century against them in 2001 in Bloemfontein to slamming his highest ever test score 319 in Chennai in 2008, dictates that how much he used to love to play against them. The “Nawab of Najafgadh” beat bowlers like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, etc. 

Rahul Dravid 

One of the best batsmen of the test cricket history, Rahul Dravid gets 3rd spot in terms of making the most Test runs for India against South Africa. The newly appointed head coach of India played 21 tests against the Proteas and got 1252 runs. His tally of runs consists of 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries. 

Virat Kohli

One of the best batsmen of the current era, Virat Kohli has to be on the list of the most test runs for India against South Africa as an all-format player. In 13 tests so far, the ace batsman has amassed 1128 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 56.40. His career-best of 254* came in Pune in 2019. Kohli has smacked 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries against the Proteas. 

VVS Laxman 

Former Indian star, VVS Laxman gets 5th place in terms of scoring the most Test runs for India against South Africa. In his 16 years of test career (1992-2012), Laxman made 976 runs in 19 matches, maintaining an average of 37.96. Against the likes of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Laxman scored1 century and 5 fifties in test. His best was in Kolkata in 2009, 143* off 260 deliveries. 

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
S Tendulkar	25	45	1741	42.36	169	7	5
V Sehwag	15	26	1306	50.23	319	5	2
R Dravid	21	40	1252	33.83	148	2	5
V Kohli	13	22	1128	56.40	254*	3	3
VVS Laxman	19	31	976	37.53	143*	1	6
S Ganguly	17	31	947	33.82	87	–	7
A Rahane	11	18	816	54.40	127	3	3
M Azharuddin	11	20	779	41.00	163*	4	2
C Pujara	15	25	774	30.96	153	1	5
R Sharma	9	16	678	42.37	212	3	0