Introduction
The rivalry between the India national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team is among modern cricket’s most compelling narratives. Since South Africa’s return to international cricket in 1991, clashes between these two sides have delivered enthralling contests across all formats — Test, ODI, and T20I. Fans often look up “india national cricket team vs south africa national cricket team stats” seeking accurate, verified data on wins, losses, head-to-head records, and player achievements.
This article presents a fact-checked, official statistical summary of this rivalry, with tables, player data, historic records, and expert interpretation. All stats are gathered from trusted cricket sources and updated through 2025 results
Overall Head-to-Head Summary
Here’s how India and South Africa stack up across all formats of men’s international cricket:
| Format | Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | Draw / NR / Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 Draw |
| ODIs | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 NR |
| T20Is | 32 | 19 | 12 | 1 NR |
| Total | 175 | 77 | 84 | 14 |
Stats verified through official match results up to 2025.
Key Insight:
Across all formats, South Africa hold a slight overall edge in total wins. However, India have a strong performance in limited-overs formats, especially T20Is.
Test Match Stats
Test cricket often reveals the long-form skill and temperament of teams. In the India vs South Africa rivalry:
| Format | Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 |
- First Test Encounter: 13 November 1992, Durban.
- Latest Test: South Africa won by 408 runs at Guwahati (Nov 22, 2025).
Notable Trends
- South Africa have a stronger Test record overall, particularly with away wins.
- India have shown dominance at home in certain periods, but South Africa’s wins in India in 2025 marked a historic shift.
One Day International (ODI) Stats
ODIs have been a key part of India vs South Africa rivalry, with high-scoring games and memorable chases.
| Format | Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 |
- South Africa lead the overall head-to-head in ODIs.
- Recent series (Nov–Dec 2025) featured high-scoring games, including South Africa’s successful chase of 362 against India.
Recent ODI Matches (Dec 2025)
- 1st ODI: India won by 17 runs (Kohli 135).
- 2nd ODI: South Africa chased 362/6 to win by 4 wickets.
- 3rd ODI: India won by 9 wickets.
Twenty20 International (T20I) Stats
T20 cricket has become a showcase for explosive batting and tactical bowling.
| Format | Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 32 | 19 | 12 | 1 |
India hold the edge in T20I wins over South Africa.
Recent T20Is (2025 Series)
- 1st T20I (Cuttack): India won by 101 runs — South Africa bundled out for 74.
- Remaining results in the series continued to show India’s strong limited-overs depth.
Comparative Performance & Trends
Analyzing the rivalry over decades shows evolving competitive dynamics:
Test Cricket
South Africa’s pace attack and adaptability abroad have historically given them an edge. India’s spin strength and home conditions balance the rivalry.
One Day Internationals
SA’s aggressive batting and match awareness helped secure more ODI wins historically, but India’s recent ODI performances show resilience and consistency.
T20 Internationals
India’s stronger T20 cricket infrastructure and player pool help them lead in head-to-head results.
Top Players & Record Holders
Here are some of the standout performers in India vs South Africa matches:
Leading Run-Scorers (Tests) – Men’s Cricket
| Player | Runs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 1,741 | Highest total in Tests vs SA (shared historical data). |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | 1,734 | Nearly identical total, showing elite performance. |
| Hashim Amla (SA) | 1,528 | Among top contributors in Tests. |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 1,408 | Key India batting figure. |
Note: These totals include matches up to 2025.
Notable Individual Efforts
- Virender Sehwag’s 319 vs South Africa in Chennai (2008) — one of the highest individual Test scores.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI double century (200)* vs South Africa — landmark scoring.
- David Miller’s unbeaten 106 in T20Is — top individual T20 score.
Format-Wise Record Breakdowns
To truly understand the rivalry, here are more detailed statistical snapshots:
Highest Team Totals
| Format | Highest vs SA | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 643/6d (Eden Gardens, 2010) | India |
| ODI | 438/4 (Wankhede, 2015) | South Africa |
| T20I | 237/3 (Guwahati, 2022) | India |
Lowest Team Totals
| Format | Lowest vs SA | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 55 (Cape Town, 2024) | South Africa |
| ODI | 83 (2023 ODI WC, Kolkata) | South Africa |
| T20I | 87 (Rajkot, 2022) | South Africa |
Home & Away Stats
In cricket, home conditions influence performance significantly.
Test Cricket Home/Away Split
- India have more Test wins at home against SA.
- South Africa’s away wins highlight their adaptability.
Detailed home/away breakdowns illustrate that success often hinges on pitch conditions, bowling matchups, and strategic planning.
Key Matches & Turning Points
Historic South Africa Test Sweep in India (2025)
South Africa achieved their first Test series win in India in 25 years, including a 408-run victory in Guwahati, marking India’s largest Test defeat by runs.
High-Scoring ODI Chases
The 2025 ODI series featured memorable tall chases, including South Africa’s successful pursuit of 362 in Raipur.
FAQs
Who holds more Test wins?
South Africa lead overall across formats.
Which team performs better in T20Is?
India holds more T20I wins vs South Africa.
Are these official statistics?
Yes — all data here is verified from trusted cricket records.
Conclusion
The India vs South Africa rivalry is marked by competitiveness, statistical intrigue, and memorable performances. While South Africa holds the overall edge in total wins, India’s strength in limited-overs formats and stellar individual performances keep this rivalry intensely balanced.
Also Read About:-) India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard – 1st Test, October 2025
