India vs South Africa National Cricket Team Players List, Timeline, Records, Highlights & H2H

India versus South Africa has been a competitive match-up in men’s cricket since 1991. Both teams give their all whenever they are up against each other.

That’s visible across their bilateral and ICC tournament encounters. While South Africa have a slightly better head-to-head record, India aren’t too far behind.

Both teams have dominated in their familiar territories over the years. However, things are now almost level, with either India or South Africa ready to topple the other in any conditions.

Take, for instance, their recent encounter in the 2024 T20 World Cup. India put up a competitive total on the board, which South Africa almost ran over.

Even on their South Africa tours since 2018, India have improved by miles, getting pretty close to Test series victories on a couple of occasions. In limited-overs cricket, India have tasted success in the African conditions.

Speaking of South Africa’s record in India, they have had a tough time. But there have been a few instances where they’ve fought hard, especially in white-ball cricket.

So all this makes up for an exciting contest between India and South Africa across three formats. And this match-up promises to be more competitive going forward.

Here you can look at the head-to-head timeline between India and South Africa, including records and highlights in cricket.

India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Players List (2025)

India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Timeline (Recent 10 Matches)

Read more: India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records in Test, ODI & T20I

Notable Records and Highlights

Test Cricket

• South Africa are slightly ahead of India in Tests (18-16).
• First Test in 1992: Ended in a dull draw. Best remembered for centuries from South Africa’s captain Kepler Wessels (118) and India’s Pravin Amre (103).
• Kirsten’s Twin Strike: Gary Kirsten’s 102 and 133 handed India a 329-run loss in the 1996 Eden Gardens Test. Andrew Hudson (146) and Daryll Cullinan (153*) were the other centurions for South Africa in the Test.
• South Africa Whitewash India: The Proteas recorded their first and only series victory in India in 2000. They clinched a two-match series 2-0.
• India’s First Win in SA: Sreesanth’s fiery spell (5/40 & 3/59) in the 2006 Johannesburg Test led to India beating the Proteas by 123 runs, their first Test win in South Africa.
• India’s Home Dominance: India defeated South Africa convincingly in 2015 by 3-0 in a four-match series, followed by a 3-0 clean sweep in 2019 at home.  
• Top run-scorer: India’s Sachin Tendulkar (1741 runs)
• Top wicket-taker: India’s Anil Kumble (84 wickets)

ODI Cricket

• South Africa lead over India in ODIs (51-40).
• First ODI in 1991: India won the rain-affected match by three wickets. Sachin Tendulkar (62 & 1/27) and Allan Donald (5/29) starred for India and South Africa in the Kolkata ODI.
• Kallis’ Rescue Act: Sourav Ganguly’s 97 and Rahul Dravid’s 54 took India to 253/5 in the 1999 World Cup match. South Africa had a poor start, but Jacques Kallis’ 96 saw them through with four wickets to spare.
• Ganguly’s Captains Knock: Ganguly scored an unbeaten 141 to push India’s total to 295 for 6 in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy. South Africa couldn’t plan their chase well to lose by 95 runs.
• Tendulkar’s Double Blow: Sachin Tendulkar hammered an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in 2010, becoming the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODIs.
• South Africa’s Triple Attack: Quinton de Kock (109), Faf du Plessis (133), and AB de Villiers (119) smashed hundreds to power South Africa to 438 for 4 in the 2015 Wankhede ODI. India, in response, were all out for 224.
• Top run-scorer: India’s Sachin Tendulkar (2001 runs)
• Top wicket-taker: South Africa’s Shaun Pollock (48 wickets)

T20I Cricket

• India keep an upper hand over South Africa in T20Is (18-12)
• First T20I in 2006: India won the low-scoring game by six wickets to spare. Ajit Agarkar (2/10), Zaheer Khan (2/15), Dinesh Mongia (38), Virender Sehwag (34), and Dinesh Karthik (31*) starred for India.
• RP Singh Troubles: Thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 50, India posted 153 for 5 in the 2007 T20 World Cup match. RP Singh later troubled hosts with his swing, picking up 4 for 13 to help India win by 37 runs.
• World Cup Thriller: Suresh Raina’s 45 pushed India’s total to 152 for 6 in the 2012 T20 World Cup game. Yuvraj Singh’s all-round effort (21 & 2/23), Zaheer Khan’s 3/22, and Lakshmipathy Balaji’s (3/37) strong finish saw India defeat South Africa by one run.
• World Cup Final: Virat Kohli’s composed 76 helped India reach 176 for 7 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Heinrich Klaasen (52) kept South Africa in the chase. But Hardik Pandya’s 3 for 20 secured India their second World Cup.
• Top run-scorer: South Africa’s David Miller (524 runs)
• Top wicket-taker: India’s Arshdeep Singh (18 wickets)

Top Players in IND vs SA Rivalry

Batting: Sachin Tendulkar, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers

Bowling: Anil Kumble, Dale Steyn, Allan Donald, Harbhajan Singh, Morne Morkel

India vs South Africa Nation Cricket Team Upcoming Matches Schedule

India vs South Africa Test, ODI, and T20I Series 2025 Schedule

Where to Watch India vs South Africa Series 2025 – Broadcasting and Live Streaming Info

Telecast: Star Sports Network

Live Stream: JioHotstar 

The India vs South Africa rivalry continues to deliver high-quality cricket across all formats, and the upcoming 2025 series promises even more excitement. With both teams packed with experienced players and rising stars, fans can expect close contests, big moments, and thrilling finishes throughout the tour.

Whether it’s Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, India vs South Africa always brings competitive cricket, and this series is set to add another memorable chapter to their long-standing rivalry. Stay tuned for live action, key performances, and all the major highlights as the battle unfolds.