When we think of the biggest rivals in the cricket industry with India, our first thought is either Pakistan, England, New Zealand or Australia.. But is it??? No, you lack one more team South Africa, now the new genZs must be thinking, how can a world cup match make them one of the biggest rivalry? Lets analyze their previous performances and how they overpower their opponent in different formats
South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
Let’s focus on their last matches held on receding 10 months
| Match | Date | Stadium | Results | Man of the match |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 5 November 2023 | Eden Gardens, in Kolkata | India won by 243 runs | Virat Kohli(IND)101* (121) |
| 1st T20 International | 10 December 2023 | ____ | Match Abandoned | ____ |
| 2nd T20 International | 12 December 2023 | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | South Africa Wins by 5 wickets (D/L method) | Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)1/18 |
| 3rd T20 International | 14 December 2023 | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | India wins by 106 runs | Suryakumar Yadav(IND)100(56) |
| 1st ODI | 17 December 2023 | Wanderer Stadium, in Sandton, South Africa | India won by 8 wickets | Arshdeep Singh(IND)5/37 |
| 2nd ODI | 19 December 2023 | St. George’s Oval, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa | South Africa won by 8 wickets | Tony de Zorzi(SA)119(122) |
| 3rd ODI | 23 December 2023 | Boland Park, in Paarl, South Africa | India won by 78 runs | Sanju Samson(IND)108(114) |
| 1st Test (Freedom Trophy) | 26 December 2023 | Supersport Park Cricket Stadium, in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa | South Africa won by 78 runs | Dean Elgar(SA)185(287) |
| 2nd Test (Freedom Trophy) | 3 January 2024 | Newlands Cricket Ground, in Newlands, Cape Town | India won by 7 wickets | Mohammed Siraj(IND)7/46 |
| T20 World Cup Finals | 29 June 2024 | Kensington Oval Barbados, in Bridgetown, Barbados. | India won by 7 runs | Virat Kohli(IND)76(59) |
The Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS) was firstly designed by two English statisticians, Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis but after their retirement Australian statistician Steven Stern took the command. It is designed to calculate the target score for the team batting in the second innings in a limited overs match which is mostly interrupted by weather or may have some other circumstances.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline of Preceding Matches
For analyzing their timeline, we also have to analyze their past matches which are as follows:
ODI Matches Stats
Let’s analyze their ODI stats for the last 25 years for better understanding
| Stats | South Africa | India |
| Wins | 51 | 40 |
| Loses | 40 | 51 |
| Draw | 0 | 0 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No results | 3 | 3 |
| Highest Score | 438/4 | 401/3 |
| Matches Played | 94 | 94 |
The above stats analyze that South Africa have an upper hand and won more matches in ODI than India
But, the above stats are just for the matches. Lets see the overall performance of the players from both the teams in ODI by the last 25 years
| Stats | South Africa | India |
| Most runs | JH Kallis(11550) | Sachin Tendulkar(18426) |
| Most wickets | SM Pollock(387) | Anil Kumble (334) |
| High Scores | G Kirsten (188 in 159 balls) | Rohit Sharma(264 in 173 balls) |
| Best Bowling figures | Imran Tahir (45/7 in 9 overs vs West Indies) | Mohammad Shami(57/7 vs New Zealand) |
| Highest Totals | 439/2 in 50 overs(vs england) | 418/5 in 50 overs (vs west indies) |
| Most Catches | JH Kallis(131) | M Azharuddin(156) |
By the above table, we can easily analyze that the record of most runs is in the hand of India which is by Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar of 18246 runs, whereas the record of most wickets is in the hand of South Africa by Shaun Maclean Pollock of 387 wickets. The highest score was in the hand of India by Rohit Sharma which is 264 runs in 173 balls. The highest totals was by India who scored 439 runs losing 2 wickets in 50 overs facing England. The most catches was taken by Mohammad Azharuddin who took 156 wickets
T20 International Matches Stats
Let’s analyze their T20I Matches stats for better understanding
| Stats | South Africa | India |
| Wins | 11 | 15 |
| Loses | 15 | 11 |
| Draw | 0 | 0 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No results | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Score | 212/3 | 227/3 |
| Matches Played | 27 | 27 |
The above stats analyze that India have an upper hand in T20 than South Africa and won more matches in T20 international than South Africa
Lets see the overall performance of the players from both the teams in T20I by the last 25 years
| Stats | South Africa | India |
| Most runs | Q de Kock(2584) | Rohit Sharma(4231) |
| Most wickets | T Shamsi(89) | Yuzvendra Chahal (96) |
| High Scores | F du Plessis (119 in 56 balls) | Shubman Gill(126 in 63 balls) |
| Best Bowling figures | D Pretorius (17/5 in 4 overs vs Pakistan) | DL Chahar(7/6 in 3.2 overs vs Bangladesh) |
| Highest Totals | 259/4 in 18.5 overs(vs west indies) | 260/5 in 20 overs (vs Sri Lanka) |
| Most Catches | DA Miller(77) | Rohit Sharma (65) |
By the above table, we can easily analyze that the record of most runs is in the hand of India which is by Rohit Sharma of 4231 runs, whereas the record of most wickets is also in the hand of India by Yuzvendra Chahal of 387 wickets. The highest score was in the hand of India by Shubman Gill which is 126 runs in 63 balls. The highest totals was by India who scored 260 runs losing 5 wickets in 20 overs facing Sri Lanka. The most catches was taken by David Andrew Miller who took 77 wickets
Test
Let’s analyze their Test Matches stats for better understanding
| Team/Stats | South Africa | India |
| Wins | 18 | 16 |
| Loses | 16 | 18 |
| Draw | 10 | 10 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No results | 0 | 0 |
| Matches Played | 44 | 44 |
The above stats analyze that South Africa have an upper hand in Test matches than India and won more matches in Test than India
Lets see the overall performance of the players from both the teams in Test Matches by the last 25 years
| Team/ Stats | South Africa | India |
| Most runs | JH Kallis(13206) | Sachin Tendulkar (15921) |
| Most wickets | DW Steyn (439) | Anil Kumble (619) |
| High Scores | H Amla (311 of 529) | Virendra Sehwag (319 off 304) |
| Best Bowling figures | HJ Tayfield (113/9 in 37 overs) | Anil Kumble(74/10 in 26.3 overs) |
| Highest Totals | 682 in 177 overs (vs england) | 759 in 190.4 overs (vs england) |
| Most Catches | JH Kallis (196) | Rahul Dravid (209) |
By the above table, we can easily analyze that the record of most runs is in the hand of India which is by Sachin Tendulkar of 15921 runs, whereas the record of most wickets is also in the hand of India by Anil Kumble of 619 wickets. The highest score was in the hand of India by Virendra Sehwag which is 319 runs in 304 balls. The highest totals was by India who scored 759 runs in 190.4 overs facing the creator of the cricket, England. The most catches was taken by Rahul Dravid who took 209 wickets
All cricket(including minor cricket)
Let’s analyze their overall matches stats which also includes minor cricket for better understanding
| Team/Stats | South Africa | India |
| Wins | 86 | 74 |
| Loses | 74 | 86 |
| Draw | 10 | 10 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
| No results | 4 | 4 |
| Matches Played | 174 | 174 |
The above stats analyze that South Africa have an upper hand in overall cricket matches than India and won most matches in Test than India
Lets see the overall performance of the players from both the teams of All cricket(including minor cricket) by the last 25 years
| Team/ Stats | South Africa | India |
| Most runs | JH Kallis(28222) | Sachin Tendulkar (37483) |
| Most wickets | SM Pollock (877) | Anil Kumble (1054) |
| High Scores | H Amla (311 of 529) | Virendra Sehwag (319 off 304) |
| Best Bowling figures | MG Melle (22/9 in 10.3 overs vs Tasmania) | Anil Kumble(74/10 in 26.3 overs) |
| Highest Totals | 682 in 177 overs (vs england) | 759 in 190.4 overs (vs england) |
| Most Catches | JH Kallis (357) | Rahul Dravid (357) |
By the above table, we can easily analyze that the record of most runs is in the hands of India which is by Sachin Tendulkar of 37483 runs, whereas the record of most wickets is also in the hand of India by Anil Kumble of 1054 wickets. The highest score was in the hand of India by Virendra Sehwag which is 319 runs in 304 balls. The highest totals was by India who scored 759 runs in 190.4 overs facing the creator of the cricket, England. The most catches was same by both India and South Africa who took 209 wickets
Remember: All the matches mentioned above are upto July 2024
Upcoming Matches of India and South Africa
Let’s analyze the upcoming matches of both the teams India and South Africa
| Format | Date | Time (as per IST) | Place |
| T20I | 8-Nov-24 | 8:30 PM | Durban |
| T20I | 10-Nov-24 | 8:30 PM | Gqebera |
| T20I | 13-Nov-24 | 8:30 PM | Centurion |
| T20I | 15-Nov-24 | 8:30 PM | Johannesburg |
Conclusion
In the article South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline, we analyzed how both the teams have overpower their opponents in the different formats. Not only one of the most exciting matches of the World Cup finals, but also in the other matches. Further, we also need to focus on how team India will manage their players since three of the most core players, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have already retired from the T20 , also how team South Africa will make the changes to get the better performance of the team.
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