The Indian cricket team has always found it hard to cope with the South African bowlers during Test matches. The speed and the ability to make the ball move off the pitch caused every batter to lose his technical skills.
However, there have been some Indian legend players who have played with the South Africans and have been able to build up their score by making consistent hundreds. A closer look at each player is presented below along with the reasons that make their centuries special.
6. Virat Kohli – 3 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 16
- Total Innings:- 28 innings
- Total Runs:-1,408
- Highest Score:- 254*
Kohli’s the one who thrives on difficult challenges, and the bowling attack of South Africa is the one that makes him shine the most. His physical condition and self-control allow him to stay on the crease for hours and change his fifties into big scores.
The intent behind all his tons was very strong, he was hitting the balls but in a controlled manner. The runs that Kohli scored against South Africa were nothing but a showcase of his desire, competitive spirit, and mastery over the craft.
5. Ajinkya Rahane – 3 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 10
- Total Innings:- 22 innings
- Total Runs:-748
- Highest Score:- 127
Rahane has consistently performed remarkably in challenging situations, particularly when playing in foreign countries. His batting style is perfect for such kinds of pitches, and thus he has made centuries even in overseas matches.
The calmness that was brought by Rahane’s temperament helped him not to get perturbed even when the other batsmen got out one after another. Rahane’s three hundreds were nothing but discipline, patience, and Test-match pure character.
4. Rohit Sharma – 3 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 10
- Total Innings:- 20 innings
- Total Runs:-678
- Highest Score:- 212
All of Rohit’s hundreds were scored in the second phase of his career after he switched to being a permanent opener. He plays the new ball very nicely and always applies the greatest penalty for loose balls, even on spinning surfaces. Under home conditions, once Rohit gets to 30-40 runs, he is almost invincible.
Rohit’s three hundred run innings are indicative of his growing up and his rising trust as a Test opener.
3. Mohammad Azharuddin – 4 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 11
- Total Innings:- 20 innings
- Total Runs:-779
- Highest Score:- 163*
The elegant one made him a threat even with quick and swinging deliveries. At times, he was just the one to bring back India into the game after they lost early wickets. He scored most of his hundreds when India was highly dependent on him.
His quick run accumulation was an advantage for India to keep up the pace throughout long Test matches. Azharuddin’s innings vs SA are remembered for pure class and timing, not brute force.
2. Virender Sehwag – 5 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 17
- Total Innings:- 26 innings
- Total Runs:-1,306
- Highest Score:- 319
Sehwag’s strike-rate and aggressive style of batting compelled South African bowlers to alter their tactics. His very nature to clear the ropes right in the beginning took the heat off the middle-order batsmen. Not only that, Sehwag even on the most difficult pitches trusted his instincts and played without restrictions.
His 5 hundreds came in quick succession, demonstrating the fact that he was always a threat whenever he got established. Sehwag wasn’t merely enduring against S. Africa, but rather he was going for it and that is the reason he ranks second in the list.
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 7 Hundreds
- Total Match:- 25
- Total Innings:- 45 innings
- Total Runs:-1,741
- Highest Score:- 169
Sachin is the leading run-getter with the most centuries for India facing South Africa, and his record has not been broken for several years. His versatility on fast-bouncy wickets was demonstrated when he scored runs in both countries.
A number of his hundreds were scored at the time when India was struggling and under pressure. Not only were Sachin’s centuries the largest – they were also the most significant in changing the course of the match.
Written By:- Manjunath S