Top 5 Highest Run-Getters For South Africa In Tests Against India
Jacques Kallis has slammed seven Test tons against India [X.com]
Since being reinstated into Test cricket in 1991, South Africa and India have established a great rivalry.
Over the years, players from both nations have exhibited a level of cricket against each other, which has inspired generations to keep the contest healthy. While India has enjoyed great success against South Africa at home, they are yet to beat the Proteas in their backyard in a Test series.
South Africa, on the other hand, are a force to reckon with in home conditions, have managed to win a solitary series in India during their 1999-00 tour, and deny Indians multiple home series wins as well.
South Africa has had several batters who have kept their side formidable over the past several eras, who in particular have relished scoring against India in Tests, with the most recent being Dean Elgar, who became the fourth Proteas player to cross 1,000-run mark against the Asian giants.
In this article, we at OneCricket list down top five South Africa cricketers, who have scored heavily against India in red-ball format.
Top 5 Highest Run-Scorers For South Africa In Tests Vs India
| Player | Matches | Runs | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques Kallis | 18 | 1,734 | 7 |
| Hashim Amla | 21 | 1,528 | 5 |
| AB de Villiers | 20 | 1,334 | 3 |
| Dean Elgar | 15 | 1,012 | 2 |
| Graeme Smith | 15 | 987 | 0 |
Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis played his last Test against India [X.com]
An absolute legend of the game, Jacques Kallis always cherished scoring against India across conditions. Kallis handled both the moving and turning ball with perfection, making his technique suitable for South African and Indian pitches.
Kallis's first visit to India in 2000 witnessed the star player slam a match-winning 95 in the second Test at Nagpur, helping his nation claim a memorable 2-0 series win. Since then, Kallis churned out runs against India, scoring 1,734 runs just behind Sachin Tendulkar's tally (1,741) of most runs in India-South Africa Tests. Out of Kallis' seven tons against India, his highest is an unbeaten 209.
Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla's top score against India in Tests is 254* [X.com]
The immovable Hashim Amla comes behind Kallis, who much like his predecessor, processed an air-tight technique that enabled the middle-order batter to score on rank-turners in India.
Amla, unlike others around him, played with composure and exhibited grittiness, which made the bowlers tired and allowed the 40-year-old to cash in quick runs. In 21 Tests against India, Amla slammed 1,528 runs, which includes one double-hundred, five tons, and seven half-centuries, including the famous blockathon knock of 244-ball 25 in Delhi.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers averages the least against India compared to others in Top 5 [X.com]
One of the main factors behind South Africa standing up to the Indian challenge during the mid-2000s was AB de Villers. On his maiden India Test tour, de Villiers slammed a remarkable 217* at Ahmedabad, which became a stepping stone for his upcoming performances.
While de Villiers did get problems against quality spinners, the batter employed an aggressive approach and unique style that helped him score 1,334 runs in 20 matches with three centuries and six fifties.
Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar scored his last Test ton against India in Centurion [X.com]
The soon-to-retire, Elgar has enjoyed relative success against India, which have helped South Africa avoid series defeats at home in 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. Elgar gained fame during his second India tour, scoring a determined 160 off 287 balls.
The opener's success against Indians have been on home soil, which amounts to 643 runs out of his 1,012 in 14 Tests, which include two hundred, and four fifties. As captain, Elgar led from the front in the 2021-22 series scoring 235 runs, and ensuring a series white-wash. In India, Elgar has faced difficulties in grinding runs against Ravichandran Ashwin and Co.
Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith scored eight fifties against India [X.com]
One of the most successful captains in Test cricket, South Africa's Graeme Smith rounds off an impressive top 5 list. As skipper, Smith ensured South Africa did not suffer series losses' in India during the 2008 and 2010 tours, scored courageous knocks during his 15-Test appearances against Indians.
Smith, who became Zaheer Khan's bunny in Tests, managed just 987 runs, which includes eight fifties, which is most for any batter in India-South Africa Tests.
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