3 Indian batsmen with scores of 150 and above against South Africa in both Tests and ODIs

South Africa have been one of the powerhouses of cricket ever since the rainbow nation made its return to international cricket in 1991. Though the Proteas have never won a major ICC trophy, they have always given the top class teams a run for their money.

South Africa once ruled the ICC Test rankings for a long time and they had even established themselves as a force to reckon with in the ODI format. And, the fast bowling attack of South Africa has always been a major contributor to their success.

Over the years, the African nation has produced several quality pace bowlers namely Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel, Allan Donald, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander.

Despite the presence of these dangerous fast bowlers, the Indian batsmen have enjoyed a good record against South Africa.

Here's a list of three elite batsmen who have dominated the Proteas bowling attack by registering scores of 150 and above in both Tests and ODI cricket.

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#3 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is the newest entry in this list

Rohit Sharma recently destroyed the South African bowling attack while representing India in the first Test match against the Proteas. This was the first time that Rohit was opening for India in Tests and the dashing opener ensured he played a memorable knock to entertain the fans in Visakhapatnam.

He hit 176 runs off 244 runs to help India get off to an excellent start in the match. His knock included 23 fours and 6 sixes.

In 2015, Rohit slammed a daddy hundred versus South Africa in ODI cricket as well. The African side set India a target of 304 runs and Rohit played a knock of 150 runs to take his team close to the target.

Though India ultimately lost the match by 5 runs, Sharma had won the hearts of fans with his wonderful innings, which included 13 fours and 6 sixes.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

#2 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has plundered runs in every part of the world and he did so on South African shores too, a few years ago.

During India's tour of South Africa in 2017-18, Kohli led his side from the front in the 2nd Test of the series with a knock of 153 runs. The home team had posted 335 runs in the first innings and in reply, India scored 307 runs courtesy Virat's magnificent hundred.

The Delhi-born player stayed in the middle for 379 minutes during his epic innings. He also hit 15 boundaries on his way to 153. However, India lost the match by 135 runs in the end.

Kohli registered a 150+ score in the following ODI series as he absolutely decimated the opposition bowling attack with an unbeaten knock of 160 runs. His 159-ball innings comprised of 12 fours and 2 sixes.

India won the game by 124 runs and Virat received the man of the match award for his efforts.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar played multiple memorable knocks against South Africa during his illustrious career. The right-handed batsman registered two 150+ scores against the rainbow nation in Test cricket while in the ODI format, he recorded a double hundred against the same opposition.

The first of his two scores above 150 in Tests came in 1997 at Cape Town. Though Sachin's innings of 169 runs could not save the Indian team from a 282-run defeat, the knock earmarked him as one of the most versatile batsmen across the globe. Sachin hit 26 boundaries during his 254-ball knock.

The second instance where Sachin hit a 150+ score against the Proteas took place in 2001 with Bloemfontein being the venue. Once again, India lost the match despite Tendulkar's heroic innings of 155 runs as the South African batsmen fired in unison to help their team win the match by 9 wickets.

Shifting our focus to the historic innings played by the Little Master against South Africa, the right-handed batsman had recorded the first ever double hundred in ODI history while donning the Indian jersey in 2010 at Gwalior.

Sachin relentlessly destroyed the Proteas bowling attack which featured the likes of Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell and Charl Langeveldt.

Sachin's 200* guided India to a 153-run win as he became the first Indian batsman to rack up 150+ scores against South Africa in both Tests and ODIs.