Top 5 highest run-scorers in India vs South Africa ODI history

By Ravi - Nov 27, 2025 04:26 PM
Last updated on Nov 27, 2025 04:28 PM

ODI matches between India and South Africa have always featured high-quality cricket, featuring world-class batting, formidable pace attacks, and thrilling contests. Over the years, many outstanding batsmen from both teams have dominated matches with consistent and match-winning performances.

Over the decades of India vs South Africa ODI cricket, whenever these two teams have met, here's a look at the five batsmen who have scored the most runs in the format.

Most runs for India vs South Africa in ODIs

1. Sachin Tendulkar

The great Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer against South Africa, with 2,001 runs. He did so in 57 ODI innings at an average of 35.73. His low average is probably because he faced world-class attacks on pitches that were easy for bowlers, at a time when modern ODI rules did not favour batting. Sachin Tendulkar scored 5 centuries and 8 fifties against South Africa, including a century during the 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match in Nagpur.

2. Jacques Kallis

South Africa's Jacques Kallis scored 1,535 ODI runs against India in 34 innings at an average of 61.40. He remained not out nine times and finished matches with his characteristic calmness and control. Of his 17 centuries in ODI cricket, Jacques Kallis scored two against India, including 11 extras of 50 or more. Overall, Kallis remains South Africa's leading run-scorer against India in ODIs, even a decade after his retirement from the game.

3. Virat Kohli

Indian run-machine Virat Kohli has scored 1,504 runs in 29 ODI innings against South Africa at a high-volume average of 65.39, the most among all players to score more than 300 runs in India vs South Africa ODIs. Virat Kohli scored 558 of these runs in a single series against South Africa in 2018, where his three match-winning centuries helped India win the series 5-1. Moreover, Kohli's 558 runs from that tour are the most runs scored by any batsman in a single bilateral series. Overall, Virat Kohli has scored five centuries and eight half-centuries against South Africa at a tremendous strike rate of 85.74.

4. Gary Kirsten

Gary Kirsten tormented the Indian bowlers in almost all his 26 ODIs between 1995 and 2001. The legendary left-handed opening batsman scored 1,377 runs at an impressive average of 62.59, which was 1.5 times his career ODI average of 40.95. Gary Kirsten scored four centuries and nine half-centuries against Team India, with his biggest achievement being an innings of 133* in the opening match of the 2001 South Africa ODI Tri-Series in Johannesburg in October 2001.

5. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers 1,357 runs in ODIs against India are nowhere near his strike rate of 111.13. Former South African captain and explosive middle-order batsman AB de Villiers loved to mock Indian bowlers, especially in ODIs, as he averages 48.46 against them. He scored six centuries against India, including three in a single series in 2015, where he amassed 358 runs at an impressive average of 89.50. Overall, AB de Villiers played 32 ODIs against India, scoring 1,357 runs, and crossing the 50-run mark 11 times.

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