Tilak Varma played an incredible knock of 107* off 56 balls in Centurion, helping India win by 11 runs against South Africa in the third T20I on November 13, 2024. This century adds to the growing list of centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa in T20Is.
Centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa have been impressive, with Varma’s 107* marking the fifth such instance. Suresh Raina was the first in 2010, followed by Rohit Sharma in 2015, Suryakumar Yadav in 2023, and Sanju Samson in 2024.
India’s dominance in T20Is against South Africa continues with these remarkable centuries, highlighting the strength of their batting lineup.
List of 5 Indian T20I Centuries Against South Africa
Rank
Player
Match Date
Runs
Balls
Fours
Sixes
Opposition
Venue
Result
1
Suresh Raina
May 2010
101
60
9
5
South Africa
Gros Islet
India won
2
Suryakumar Yadav
December 2023
100
56
7
8
South Africa
Johannesburg
India won
3
Rohit Sharma
October 2015
106
66
12
5
South Africa
Dharamsala
India lost
4
Sanju Samson
June 2024
107
50
7
10
South Africa
Durban
India won
5
Tilak Varma
November 2024
107*
56
8
7
South Africa
Centurion
India won
5. Tilak Varma (107 off 56 balls)*
In the third T20I against South Africa in Centurion, Tilak Varma scored his first T20I century, playing a brilliant knock of 97 minutes with eight fours and seven sixes. Despite facing an inexperienced South African bowling attack, including Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, Varma’s innings was a highlight. This century by Indian batters vs South Africa showed great promise for the future.
Varma’s performance was a standout in India’s win, making it one of the finest centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa, especially given the lack of experience in the opposition’s bowling.
Sanju Samson scored 107 off 50 balls in the opening T20I at Kingsmead, Durban, marking his second consecutive T20I century. His knock included seven fours and ten sixes, contributing to a 61-run victory for India. This performance adds to the growing list of centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa, showcasing India’s dominance. Samson’s innings came against a South African bowling attack with inexperienced players like Jansen and Coetzee, further solidifying India’s strong position in the series.
3. Rohit Sharma (106 off 66 balls)
Rohit Sharma scored 106 off 66 balls in the first T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala in October 2015, marking one of the top centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa. India posted 199/5, but despite Rohit’s powerful knock of 12 fours and five sixes, they couldn’t defend the total. South Africa chased it down in 19.4 overs, winning by six wickets.
The South African bowling attack, including Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott, and Imran Tahir, put pressure on India, but it was the chasing ability of South Africa that saw them win, despite centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa.
2. Suryakumar Yadav (100 off 56 balls)
In the second T20I in South Africa in December 2023, Suryakumar Yadav delivered an outstanding 100 off 56 balls at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. His innings was a display of power, as he hammered seven fours and eight sixes. Despite India being reduced to 29/2 early on, the partnership between Suryakumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal (60 off 41 balls) added 112 runs for the third wicket. This solid recovery helped India post 201/7, and the eventual victory by 105 runs leveled the series 1-1. This remarkable knock added to the growing list of centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa, showcasing their dominance.
1. Suresh Raina (101 off 60 balls)
Suresh Raina became the first Indian to score a T20I century, achieving this against South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup. He scored 101 off 60 balls, including nine fours and five sixes, after India lost both openers. Raina’s partnership with Yuvraj Singh helped India post 186/5, winning by 14 runs. Centuries by Indian batters vs South Africa, like Raina’s, stand out against a strong attack led by Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Jacques Kallis.