Discover the top 5 Indian T20I run-scorers against South Africa, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Key innings, records, and impactful performances.
The rivalry between India and South Africa in cricket has been intense, especially so in the T20 Internationals (T20Is). Their matches witnessed power-hitting, fantastic bowling, and nail-biting finishes that are going to be etched in international cricket. The Indian side has been particularly strong in this, in that it has seen its star batsmen score high time and again against the Proteas.
From record-breaking centuries to high-scoring partnerships, Indian batsmen have been just the instrument for securing memorable wins over South Africa in T20I history. In the blog below, we go into the top five Indian batsmen who have scored the most T20I runs against South Africa and analyze their contributions in this electrifying cricketing rivalry.
Top 5 Highest Run-Scorers for India Against South Africa in T20I Cricket
5. Shikhar Dhawan – 233 Runs
Former opener Shikhar Dhawan, with his aggressive playing style, banked 233 T20I runs against South Africa. Fearless and brutal are words that define Dhawan while being associated with some of the most spectacular performances in the shortest format against the South African pace attack. He retired from cricket in August 2024 but whatever he did against South Africa will be remembered, as he maintained an average of 33 and a strike rate of 141 during the matches. Dhawan proved himself to be a very important player for India in T20Is.
4. Suresh Raina – 339 Runs
Suresh Raina is one of the most trusted middle-order batsmen for India in T20Is. Adding 339 runs with an average of 34 and a strike rate of 148, Raina scripted his name in history when he hit India's first-ever T20I century against South Africa during the 2010 ICC Men's T20 World Cup when he cracked a cracking 101 off mere 60 balls. His knock is one of the most notable highlights for India in T20I against South Africa, and it vindicates his big-match temperament and consistency.
3. Suryakumar Yadav – 346 Runs
Well and fearlessly batting with an innovative approach has made Suryakumar Yadav, who is the current T20I captain for India, have a great time thus far against South Africa with 346 runs at an average of 57.6 with a strike rate of 175.63. The manner in which Yadav bashed his way to the cusp of a century in Johannesburg in 2023, beating hundreds of deliveries, took just 56 balls. This has allowed India to achieve a massive 106-run victory. His versatility and his capacity to play shots in almost every manner around the ground helped Yadav emerge under pressure as a very priceless asset in India's T20I squad.
2. Virat Kohli – 394 Runs
Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the all-time great batsmen in current cricket as well. He has scored 394 runs against South Africa in T20I cricket with an impressive average of 39.4. Kohli has led Indian team to triumph under high pressure; the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is a recent example in which Kohli played a match-winning knock of 76 off 59 balls. Kohli's own elegant shot-making skills coupled with anchoring an innings for India have made him a firm favourite in India's T20I side.
1. Rohit Sharma-429 Runs
Coming up is the top run-getter in South Africa for India, that is no other but Rohit Sharma, amassing 429 runs against South Africa. Sharma is known as a big run aggressive hitter; he scored one hundred and two half-centuries against the Proteas, with a strike rate of 130 and average of 26.8. Sharma's best innings was when he cracked 106 off 66 balls against the Proteas in Dharamsala way back in 2015, which set the tone for India's success. Sharma's consistencies have ensured that his legacy would survive as one of the finest Indian stalwarts in T20I cricket.
The century and other high-scoring innings from these five Indian batsmen have been the lifeblood of India's success over South Africa in T20I cricket. Their healthy hundreds and high-scoring matches are not only milestones but are memories that will never be forgotten in cricket history. From aggressive starts from Shikhar Dhawan to the explosive centuries by Rohit Sharma, this batting line-up did command the show and make India a threatening team for South Africa in T20I cricket.
