5 Indian batsmen with most runs against South Africa in Tests

#4 VVS Laxman - 976 runs

VVS Laxman

Watching VVS Laxman at his best was like watching an artist at work. His pristine cover drives through the off side and his delectable flicks past mid-wicket made him a joy to watch.

Laxman played 19 Tests against South Africa and scored 976 runs at an average of 37.54, including a hundred and six fifties.

Laxman’s sole hundred came in the year 2010 at the iconic Eden Gardens. The right-hander was at his splendid best as he scored an unbeaten 143, which enabled India to crush the visitors by an innings and 57 runs.

RECORD: Matches: 19; Innings: 31; Runs: 976; Average: 37.54; 100s: 1; 50s: 6

#3 Rahul Dravid - 1252 Runs

Rahul Dravid

At No. 3 comes ‘The Wall Of Indian Cricket’, Rahul Dravid. Dravid is India’s second highest run scorer (13288) and second highest century maker (36) in Tests after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid’s impeccable technique coupled with his monk-like concentration made him a match winner for India.

Dravid played 21 Tests for India against South Africa and scored 1252 runs at an average of 33.84, including two hundreds and five fifties. Dravid scored a classy 148 at Johannesburg to enable India to salvage a draw against South Africa in 1997.

His second hundred against the Proteas came at Chennai in 2008. Dravid’s 111 enabled India to post a mammoth 627 runs on the board in reply to South Africa’s 540 in the first innings, and thus earn a comfortable draw.

RECORD: Matches: 21; Innings: 40; Runs: 1252; Average: 33.84; 100s: 2; 50s: 5