South Africa vs India 2018: 5 best Indian batsmen to have travelled South Africa

Indian teams that have toured South Africa in the past have always found the going tough.

There haven't been many successful Indian batsmen on South Africa's pace friendly wickets, barring a few. Another reason for this is the quality of fast bowlers that the Rainbow nation has managed to produce, generation by generation.

Here is the list of five Indians that adapted well against all the odds, based on their batting average (minimum 200 runs).

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#5 Cheteshwar Pujara

He was the top scorer from either side in the game

Known to have a sound technique and the temperament required to play long innings, he was one of the contenders for a spot in the Indian middle order, more so after the retirement of Rahul Dravid.

He proved himself to be one when he played a gem of an innings in Johannesburg, where he scored 153 off 353 deliveries.

Quick Stats:

Innings - 8

Runs - 337

Avg. - 42.12

Highest - 153

#4 Sachin Tendulkar

He has scored five centuries on South African soil

Hailed as the God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is one of the few batsmen to score a hundred in every test playing nation.

The difference between his batting average at home and away is marginal. His greatness can be understood from his 1000+ runs in South Africa.

Quick Stats:

Inns - 28

Runs - 1161

Avg. - 46.44

HS - 169

#3 Virat Kohli

It was a 'man of the match' award-winning performance

While playing his first Test in South Africa and batting at Number 4 for the first time, the current Indian skipper scored 119 and 96, which was soon after the retirement of the great Tendulkar.

His hundred was the first by a subcontinent batsman in Johannesburg since 1998. The 29-year-old will be the key to India's success in the ongoing series.

Quick Stats:

Inns - 5

Runs - 277

Avg. - 55.40

HS - 119

#2 Gautam Gambhir

That turned out to be his last South Africa tour

The left-handed opening batsman and the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2009, Gautam Gambhir makes the second spot on the list. His inclusion might come as a surprise many, but his three consecutive fifties in the African nation on the 2010/11 tour get him in.

This was when India managed to get a commendable result in the series, and drew 1-1.

Quick Stats:

Inns - 4

Runs - 242

Avg. - 60.50

HS - 93

#1 Ajinkya Rahane

Scored a historic century at Lord's

Since the retirement of Dravid, Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman, Rahane has been the dark horse for India when they travel outside Asia. He is the only batsman in the current Indian setup who has a better average overseas than at home.

Due to poor show recently, he lost his spot to an in-form Rohit Sharma in the first test.

Quick Stats:

Inns - 4

Runs - 209

Avg. - 69.66

HS - 96