5 Indian cricketers who have excelled against South Africa in Tests

How good was Sachin and Sehwag’s records against the Proteas?Some gruelling cricket has been played between India and South Africa in Test matches over the years. Even though South Africa have been pretty much on top in terms of overall results, India have managed to inflict a few memorable defeats on their opposition.In terms of individual performances, players from both sides have come up with exceptional and consistent performances which have aided their respective teams. While some of the performers for South Africa are still very much playing, most Indians who have done well against the Proteas have hung up their boots.Here we take a look at 5 Indian cricketers who have excelled against South Africa in Tests:

#5 Harbhajan Singh

Bhajji has enjoyed playing against South Africa

MAT	WKTS	AVE	BBI
11	60	28.40	7/87

Harbhajan Singh, fondly known as the Turbanator, has had a great time in Tests played against South Africa in his career so far. The stats speak for themselves as he has picked up 60 wickets against them in just 11 matches at a very decent average of 28.40 which is far better than his career average of 32 plus. This includes a few match-winning spells that turned the tide of the game in Team Indias favour.

In fact, the last time the Proteas lost a series in India was primarily due to Harbhajan Singhs 7 for 87 in the second and final Test of the 2004 India-South Africa series at his favourtie ground, the Eden Gardens; India won the Test and the claimed the series 1-0. Considering his past record against South Africa and a more than decent performance in the recently concluded ODI series, it is a pity that he has not been picked for the ongoing Test series against the same opposition. But he will surely remain one of the top performers in Tests between India and South Africa.

#4 Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath has a great record against the Proteas

MAT	WKTS	AVE	BBI
13	64	24.48	6/21

What Virender Sehwag was with the bat against South Africa, Javagal Srinath was with the ball in hand. The Karnataka pacer came up with some impeccable performances in India-South Arica encounters both at home and away. That South Africa was his favourite opposition is pretty clear considering the fact that his bowling average is as low as 24.48 against them as compared to a career bowling average in excess of 30.

Every time India and South Africa came head to head, Javagal Srinath used to bringforward his A-game and as a result managed to bowl some great spells. The best of the lot was the 6 for 21 he took against them in a Test match played in Ahmedabad in 1997 and led India to a victory which was looking unlikely. Had he been able to replicate his performances against South Africa with some of the other teams, he would have been a bigger Indian legend than what he ended up being.

#3 Anil Kumble

Kumble has taken the most wickets in India-South Africa Tests

MAT	WKTS	AVE	BBI
21	84	31.79	6/53

Indias most successful bowler in Tests, Anil Kumble, boasts of a very good record against the Proteas. He is the leading wicket-taker in Test matches played between India and South Africa with 84 against his name. In fact, his contributions have been invaluable every time India has managed to beat the African nation. Even though his bowling average against them is higher compared to his career average of 29.65, one must take into account the fact that quite a few of the Tests were played on South African soil.

Throughout his career, Kumble remainedvery consistent in terms of picking wickets in matches played against the Proteas.Kumbles best performance of 6 for 53 against them came in Johannesburg during Indias very first tour to the country. Overall, it would be safe to say that Anil Kumble is one of Indias better performers in Tests against South Africa.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar was not at his best against the Proteas but he was certainly effective

MAT	RUNS	AVE	HS	100s
25	1741	42.46	169	7

It is hardly a surprise that Indias best batsman ever, Sachin Tendulkar, has made it to this list. However, the fact is that Tendulkar was never really at his prolific best when it came to Tests against South Africa. This is visible in his average of 42.46 in India-South Africa Tests in comparison with his career average of above 53.

But one thing we all must remember is that numbers alone dont tell you the entire story. There were quite a few occasions throughout his illustrious career, especially in the 90s, whenSachin Tendulkar stood up to the ever fearsome South African pace attack when everyone else around him was struggling. Most cricket fans will remember his famous duels with the likes of Allan Donald, where Sachin managed to emerge victorious on a number of occasions.

The Indian batting legend holds the record for the most runs in India-South Africa encounters with 1741 in his kitty. He is also the joint record holder,along with South African Jacques Kallis,for most centuries in Test battles between the two teams with 7 under his belt.

#1 Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag has many fond memories of playing against South Africa

MAT	RUNS	AVE	HS	100s
15	1306	50.23	319	5

There is little doubt about the fact that Virender Sehwag enjoyed playing against the South Africans. No wonder he got both his maiden Test century and his highest score in Test cricket against the same opposition. His average of 50.23 versus the Proteas is the best among all Indian players and is also a touch above his career average of 49 plus. To add to it, he has 5 centuries against them in 15 matches, which means that he scored a century in every 3^rdTest that he played.

One of Sehwags 2 triple tons, the 319 in Chennai, was also recorded versus the South African team which goes on to show how he thrived against their bowling attack. Sehwag is certainly on top of the list when it comes to Indian cricketers who have done well in India-South Africa Tests.