The most recent official encounter between the India national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team took place on December 19, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India secured a decisive 30-run victory in this final T20 International, clinching the five-match series 3-1. Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 231/5, powered by explosive half-centuries from Tilak Varma (73) and Hardik Pandya (63). In response, South Africa was restricted to 201/8 despite a valiant 65 from Quinton de Kock.
This article provides an exhaustive breakdown of the India vs South Africa rivalry across all formats. You will find detailed scorecards from recent matches, historical head-to-head statistics, and in-depth profiles of the top performers. Whether you are looking for the latest 2025-26 series results or legendary milestones from the past three decades, this guide covers every statistical angle of this premier cricketing feud.
Latest T20I Match Scorecard Summary
The fifth T20I in Ahmedabad on December 19, 2025, served as the series finale for the Proteas’ tour of India. India’s aggressive batting display set a target that proved too steep for the visitors under the lights of the world’s largest cricket stadium.
India’s innings was defined by a massive fourth-wicket partnership between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, who added 105 runs in just 44 deliveries. Pandya’s 16-ball fifty became the second-fastest by an Indian in T20I history. On the bowling front, Varun Chakravarthy dismantled the South African middle order with a 4-wicket haul, while Jasprit Bumrah provided elite control with figures of 2/17.
Test Series Results 2025-26
South Africa dominated the two-match Test series held in November 2025, securing a 2-0 whitewash on Indian soil. This marked South Africa’s first Test series victory in India since the year 2000, highlighting a significant shift in their subcontinental performance.
The first Test at Eden Gardens saw South Africa win by 30 runs in a low-scoring thriller where Simon Harmer’s spin proved lethal. In the second Test, the Proteas achieved a historic 408-run victory, India’s largest defeat by runs in Test history. Tristan Stubbs and Senuran Muthusamy were the standout performers with the bat, while Marco Jansen led the pace attack with a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test.
ODI Series Breakdown 2025-26
India rebounded in the three-match One Day International series, defeating South Africa 2-1. This series was characterized by high-scoring encounters and a return to form for veteran Indian batters.
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Series after scoring 302 runs, including two back-to-back centuries that brought his international tally to 84 hundreds. South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke showed promise with 164 runs across the series, but Kuldeep Yadav’s 9 wickets ensured India maintained the upper hand in the 50-over format. The series victory helped India maintain its strong ranking in the ICC ODI team standings heading into the 2026 season.
Historical Test Head-to-Head Stats
India and South Africa have a long and storied history in Test cricket dating back to 1992. As of early 2026, the two nations have met in 44 Test matches, with South Africa holding a slight edge.
- South Africa Wins: 18
- India Wins: 16
- Draws: 10
While South Africa leads the overall count, India has been traditionally dominant at home, winning 11 out of 19 Tests played on Indian soil. However, the 2025 series win by the Proteas has closed the gap significantly. Notable individual records include Sachin Tendulkar’s 1,741 runs and Jacques Kallis’s 1,734 runs, representing the pinnacle of batting excellence in this rivalry.
One Day International Records
In the ODI format, South Africa has historically been the more successful side, though India has dominated in ICC tournaments. Across 94 matches, the Proteas have secured 51 wins compared to India’s 40.
The rivalry in ODIs is famous for high-octane scores, such as South Africa’s 438/4 at the Wankhede Stadium in 2015. India’s highest total remains the 401/3 in Gwalior (2010), where Sachin Tendulkar scored the first-ever double century in men’s ODIs. In ICC Champions Trophy history, however, India holds a perfect 4-0 record against South Africa, showcasing a psychological edge in “mini-World Cup” events.
T20 International Statistical Overview
The T20I format is the only one where India holds a clear historical advantage over South Africa. Out of 31 matches played, India has emerged victorious on 18 occasions, while South Africa has won 12.
Recent years have seen India exert significant dominance, winning the last two bilateral series and the 2024 T20 World Cup Final in Barbados. The 2025 series further solidified this trend, with young talents like Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma stepping up. Tilak Varma, in particular, has become a “Protea-killer,” amassing 280 runs in just four innings during the 2024-25 period.
Top Individual Batting Performances
The India-South Africa rivalry has been a stage for some of the greatest individual batting feats in cricket history. From marathon Test innings to rapid-fire T20 centuries, the record books are filled with iconic names.
Virender Sehwag holds the record for the highest individual Test score in this matchup with his 319 in Chennai (2008). On the South African side, Hashim Amla’s 253* in Nagpur (2010) and AB de Villiers’ 217 in Ahmedabad (2008) are regarded as masterclasses in subcontinental batting. In shorter formats, Quinton de Kock has been a perennial thorn for India, scoring six ODI centuries against them, while Virat Kohli’s 14,000+ career ODI runs include several match-winning knocks against the Proteas.
Leading Wicket-Takers of All Time
The battle between India’s spin and South Africa’s pace has defined many series over the decades. Bowlers from both sides have exploited home conditions to devastating effect.
Anil Kumble remains India’s most successful Test bowler against South Africa, famously taking 18 wickets during the 1992-93 tour. For South Africa, Dale Steyn’s 5/23 in Ahmedabad (2008) is often cited as one of the best spells of fast bowling on Indian soil. In the modern era, Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada have continued this legacy, with both bowlers frequently ranking in the top five of the ICC player rankings during their respective tours.
Iconic Match: T20 World Cup 2024 Final
The T20 World Cup Final in Barbados remains the most significant match between these two teams in recent memory. India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in a heart-stopping finish to claim their second T20 world title.
India posted 176/7, led by Virat Kohli’s 76. South Africa seemed on track for victory when Heinrich Klaasen hit a 23-ball fifty, but sensational death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya turned the tide. This match marked the T20I retirement of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, ending an era for Indian cricket on a high note.
Venues and Playing Conditions
Matches between these two teams are heavily influenced by the distinct geographic conditions of each country. In South Africa, the “Highveld” venues like Centurion and Johannesburg offer pace and bounce that challenge Indian batters.
Conversely, Indian venues like Eden Gardens and Chepauk provide turning tracks that favor spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has recently become a frequent host for major IND vs SA clashes, offering a balanced surface that supports high-scoring T20Is while providing enough assistance for disciplined bowlers.
Practical Information and Planning
For fans planning to attend future India vs South Africa matches, understanding the logistics of international cricket is essential. These series are usually scheduled during the peak cricket seasons of each country.
- Opening Hours/Dates: Matches usually start at 1:30 PM IST for Day/Night ODIs and 7:00 PM IST for T20Is. Test matches begin at 9:30 AM local time.
- Ticket Prices: Prices range from ₹500 for general stands to ₹15,000+ for hospitality suites in India. In South Africa, tickets range from R100 to R1,500.
- How to Get There: Major stadiums like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Johannesburg are well-connected by international airports and local metro/taxi services.
- What to Expect: Security is high at all venues; expect long queues for entry. Alcohol is generally not served in Indian stadiums but is available in designated areas in South Africa.
- Tips for Visitors: Book tickets at least a month in advance via official partners like BookMyShow (India) or Ticketpro (South Africa) as these high-profile games often sell out.
Upcoming Fixtures: T20 World Cup 2026
The rivalry is set to renew in early 2026 during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. As the defending champions, India will likely face South Africa in the knockout stages or the Super 8s.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian side, while Aiden Markram is expected to captain the Proteas. This tournament will be the first major ICC event without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20 format, placing the spotlight on younger stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tristan Stubbs. The matches are scheduled to take place across iconic venues in India, including Wankhede and Eden Gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last India vs South Africa T20I series?
India won the most recent series 3-1, concluding with a victory in Ahmedabad on December 19, 2025.
What is the highest team total in India vs South Africa Tests?
India holds the record with 643/6 declared, achieved at Eden Gardens in 2010.
Who has scored the most runs in IND vs SA ODIs?
Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 2,001 runs, followed by Jacques Kallis and Virat Kohli.
How many times have India and South Africa met in World Cups? They have played 6 times in the ODI World Cup, with the record currently tied at 3-3.
Who is the leading wicket-taker in this rivalry?
In Test cricket, Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn are among the most successful bowlers for their respective nations.
What was the result of the 2024 T20 World Cup Final?
India won the final by 7 runs in Barbados to become world champions.
Which stadium hosted the highest successful ODI run chase between them?
The Wankhede Stadium and Gwalior have seen some of the highest-scoring chases and totals in their history.
Who is the current captain of the India Test team?
As of the 2025-26 series, Shubman Gill has taken over as the captain of the Indian Test side.
Can I buy tickets for the 2026 T20 World Cup now?
Tickets usually go on sale 3-4 months before the tournament via the official ICC website.
Who holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty in this matchup?
Hardik Pandya scored a 16-ball fifty in December 2025, the second-fastest for India in the format.
What is South Africa’s lowest Test total against India?
South Africa was bowled out for 55 at Cape Town in January 2024.
Has South Africa ever won a Test series in India?
Yes, they won the most recent series in 2025 (2-0) and previously won in 2000.
Final Thoughts
The India national cricket team vs South Africa national cricket team match scorecard from the 2025 series tells a story of two completely different cricketing worlds. While South Africa achieved a historic 2-0 Test series sweep on Indian soil—including India’s largest-ever runs defeat (408 runs) in Guwahati—India’s white-ball dominance remained unshaken. Led by a resurgent Suryakumar Yadav and the clinical finishing of Hardik Pandya, India claimed the T20I series 3-1, punctuated by high-scoring displays that culminated in a decisive 30-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Statistically, the rivalry remains one of the most balanced in international cricket. South Africa continues to hold the edge in Test matches (18 wins to 16) and ODIs (51 wins to 40), largely due to their historical home dominance and their recent breakthrough in the subcontinent. However, India’s superior T20I record (18 wins to 12) reflects their transition into a global power in the shortest format. The 2025 series was particularly notable for the emergence of Tilak Varma, who amassed nearly 300 runs in the T20Is, and South Africa’s Simon Harmer, whose spin mastery in the Test series dismantled the famed Indian batting lineup.
As both teams prepare for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where India enters as the defending champion, the “India vs South Africa” scorecard continues to be a benchmark for elite performance. Whether it is the pace-friendly tracks of the Highveld or the spinning wickets of the subcontinent, this rivalry guarantees high-intensity drama that consistently pushes the boundaries of the sport.
For more lifestyle Sports and cultural insights, explore our latest features:
Australian men’s cricket team vs england cricket team match scorecard
Endia women’s national cricket team vs australia women’s national cricket team match scorecard
India national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard
England cricket team vs australian men’s cricket team match scorecard
Read More on Devon Buzz