Australia captain Meg Lanning's masterful and classy 135* against South Africa has put her among the best players (male or female) to grace most hundreds in ODI cricket while resulting in a successful chase. Lanning struck her 15th century to flatten the previously unbeaten South Africa who had posted a seemingly competitive 271/5 on Tuesday.

Also Read: "If I do well in the IPL even I will have a chance to get selected for the world cup:" Shubman Gill

Meanwhile, Lanning also set a record of 15 centuries in Women's ODIs (most ever in women's ODIs). Meg Lanning, in 97 innings, is the second-fastest to 15 hundreds in ODI cricket (men and women). The only player to score their first 15 ODI hundreds in fewer innings is Hashim Amla. Amla took 86 innings to reach the milestone of 15 ODI hundreds.

The Australian skipper took apart one of the best attacks in the 2022 Women's World Cup. Moreover, she joined some illustrious companies when it comes to icing the most successful hundreds in ODI cricket while chasing.

Of Lanning's 15 centuries, 10 have come while chasing. And, all 10 have resulted in a successful run chase. This puts her fourth for most hundreds in successful run-chases in ODI cricket. She is just only behind Virat Kohli (22), Sachin Tendulkar (14), and Rohit Sharma (11).

Most hundreds in succesfull run chases in ODI cricket:

Read Also: Most Sixes by Indians in the IPL

N.B: Last Updated on 23/03/2022.

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a crucial three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting November 30, 2025. The white-ball leg brings massive excitement as the iconic duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their much-awaited comeback to the ODI setup after a break. With regular opener Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck injury, KL Rahul has been handed the responsibility to captain the Men in Blue.

Following a disappointing Test whitewash earlier in the tour, India will be determined to bounce back and assert dominance against a side they recently overcame in the dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025 final.

So, before the India vs South Africa ODI series to begin, let's take a look at the top 5 batters with the most runs in India vs South Africa ODIs.

Also Read: Result of every India vs South Africa ODI series

Most Runs in India vs South Africa ODIs | Top 5 List

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 2001 Runs

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in ODIs between India vs South Africa. He scored 2001 runs in 57 matches against the Proteas, the only one with over 2,000 runs in this storied rivalry, averaging 35.73. During this period, Sachin scored five centuries and eight half-centuries, including an unbeaten 200-run innings. He was a part of India vs South Africa rivalry from 1991 to 2011, scoring 1453 runs in South Africa alone.

2. Jacques Kallis | 1535 Runs

Jacques Kallis is South Africa's leading run-scorer against India. In 34 innings, Kallis scored 1535 runs, including two centuries and 11 half-centuries. Kallis played his last ODI against India in 2013. Out of the 17 hundreds he scored in ODI cricket, Jacques Kallis got two of them against India. To sum up, Kallis remains South Africa’s most productive ODI batter against India even since a decade of his retirement from the game.

3. Virat Kohli | 1504 Runs

Indian run-machine Virat Kohli's bat always speaks against South Africa. In 29 innings, Virat has scored 1504 runs against South Africa, averaging over 65, the highest among all India vs South Africa ODI players with more than 300 runs to their names. He has scored five centuries and eight half-centuries against South Africa. Kohli made 558 of his 1504 in a single away series against South Africa back in 2018, where his three match-winning hundreds engineered India’s 5-1 series win. Moreover, Kohli’s 558-run tally from that tour remains the highest aggregate by any batter in a single bilateral series by a landslide.

4. Gary Kirsten | 1377 Runs

Former South African opener Gary Kirsten has served as the head coach of the Indian team, lifting the 2011 World Cup. He has played 26 ODIs against India between the years 1995 to 2001, scoring 1,377 runs at an average of 62.59. He scored nine half-centuries and four centuries. His highest score against India was 133* which came in Johannesburg back in October 2001 in the opening match of the 2001 South Africa ODI tri-series.

Also Read: India under Gautam Gambhir coaching

5. AB de Villiers | 1357 Runs

In 32 matches, AB de Villiers scored 1357 runs against India at an average of 48.46. De Villiers also holds the record for most sixes in ODIs between the two teams, with 41. Among all players in India vs South Africa ODI matches, no batter has scored his runs even remotely close to the strike rate of 111.13. He got six hundreds against India, including three in a single series from 2015, where he scored 358 runs at an average of 89.50.

After winning the T20 World Cup last year, in July, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team in place of Rahul Dravid. Since then India have won seven Tests, lost 10 and drawn two under Gautam Gambhir coaching. Again all focus has shifted to him once again after the team's embarrassing defeat in the second Test by 408 runs under his coaching as South Africa completed a 2-0 clean sweep at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. India were bowled out for 140 runs in their second innings while chasing the 548-run target. After this, India endured its second home Test series defeat under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni: Comparison in Test cricket

Fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games

The team is in bad shape under Gambhir's coaching as India is going through a challenging transition phase, this was their fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games. Under Gambhir, India witnessed a new low last year when they lost a Test series for the first time in 12 years after New Zealand thrashed them 3-0. The defeat was also first for India at home under new skipper Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy role following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

India lost to Sri Lanka after 18 years

Last year, in July-August, the Indian team went on a tour of Sri Lanka. This was India's first series after Gautam Gambhir became the coach. After winning the T20 World Cup, India's youth team had reached Sri Lanka.

India then had to face 0-2 defeat in the ODI series. After 18 years, the Indian team had lost to Sri Lanka in a bilateral series.

Embarrassing defeat in front of New Zealand

When the New Zealand came to India last year, everyone must have felt in the beginning that by winning this series easily, we will present a strong claim for the World Test Championship final.

On the contrary, India lost 0-3 in this series. This was the first time since 2012 that India lost a Test series at home. New Zealand not only defeated India but also whitewashed them.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

Lost Border Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years

Team India had been winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy continuously for the last 10 years. They defeated the Kangaroos in four consecutive series. During this period, Australia was defeated twice at their own home. India also got the good fortune of defeating Australia in Gabba after almost 30 years.

Now this victory chariot of India has broken under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir. The last time Australia won the Test series against India was in the year 2014-15.

Let's take a look at India's result under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.

India's T20I record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 26, Won: 20, Lost: 3, NR: 3

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 T20Is): India won 2-0
• India vs Bangladesh (3 T20Is): India won by 3-0
• South Africa vs India (4 T20Is): India won by 3-1
• India vs England (5 T20Is): India won by 4-1
• Asia Cup 2025 (6 T20Is): India won Asia Cup by beating Pakistan in the final
• Australia vs India (5 T20Is): India won 2-1

India's ODI record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 14, Won: 9, Lost: 4, NR: 1

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 0-2
• India vs England (3 ODIs): India won 3-0
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (5 ODIs): India won CT 2025 by beating New Zealand in the final
• Australia vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 1-2

India's Test record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 18, Won: 7, Lost: 9, NR: 2

• India vs Bangladesh (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs New Zealand (3 Tests): India lost 0-3
• Australia vs India (5 Tests): India lost 1-3
• England vs India (5 Tests): Series Drawn by 2-2
• India vs West Indies (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs South Africa (2 Tests): India lost 0-2

Boundaries are tests are not at all frequent. Test cricket is a game of patience, dedication, and enthusiasm. Unlike other formats of cricket, cricketers avoid playing aggressively. Cricketers get an ample amount of time so they make sure to use it wisely without any hurry or wrong decisions. Therefore the boundaries are very rare in a test match. In a test match on an average of 10 sixes are hit by the cricketers. In many matches, the cricketers couldn't even score 1 six.

Let's check out the cricketers with the most sixes in test.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

Most Sixes in Test Cricket

1. Ben Stokes | 136

England Test captain Ben Stokes tops the list by being the cricketer with the most sixes in test, smashing 136 sixes in the longest format of the cricket. He surpassed England coach and former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum.

In 115 Test matches, Stokes scored a total of 7,032 runs at an average of 35.69 with 14 centuries and 35 fifties. His individual best score in Tests is 258. Known for hitting sixes under pressure, Stokes has consistently turned games around in key moments, like his iconic 2019 Ashes innings at Headingley.

2. Brendon McCullum | 107

Brendon McCullum comes second in this list. The former cricketer of New Zealand made his Test debut in 2004 and played 101 matches till his retirement in 2016. He smashed 107 sixes in the test cricket. Not only this, he became the cricketer to score the fastest test century (54 balls) in the Test history.

McCullum is considered as one of the fittest players of the modern time. No wonders why he became the first cricketer to appear in 100 consecutive test matches since his debut. Also he is the first Kiwi cricketer to score a triple century.

3. Adam Gilchrist | 100

Aggression was probably Gilchrist's biggest power. He could single-handedly destroy the opposition bowling lineup with his aggressive and attacking batting. Not to mention he is one of the greates wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of cricket. Both batting and wicket-keeping like a pro were something that glued the audience to the screen every time he was on the field.

Gilchrist was definitely the biggest game-changer and impactful player of the Australian Cricket team of his time. Since his Test debut in 1999, he played 96 matches till 2008 and smashed a total of 106 sixes.

4. Tim Southee | 98

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee ended his career with 98 sixes, the joint-fourth-most in Test cricket history, level with West Indies’ Chris Gayle. 

Southee has scored 2,245 runs in Tests since making his debut in 2008, including seven fifties. However, he is one of the finest bowlers New Zealand have produced, with 391 wickets, only behind Richard Hadlee, who has 431 scalps. He announced his retirement from all format of the cricket in 2024.

5. Chris Gayle | 98

Have you ever watched cricket if you haven't seen Gayle smashing sixes most effortlessly? The former Caribbean cricketer did not show mercy to the bowlers in any forms of cricket. Definition of Chris Gayle on the field means boundaries everywhere. He is known for being one of the best hitters ever. Gayle is the first cricketer to score a century in all three formats of cricket.

Gayle made his Test debut in 2008 and played till 2014. During this time he appeared in 103 test matches and scored 98 sixes.

Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja achieves 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket, becomes second Indian after Kapil Dev to do so

6. Jacques Kallis | 97

Hands down he is the greatest all-rounder of all time. Be it batting, or bowling, Kallis did everything effortlessly. Only four players have scored 5 consecutive Test centuries and he is one of them. Since his test debut in 1995, he played 166 test matches till 2013 and scored 97 sixes. He proved his skills every time and took the South African team out of trouble in the best way possible.

7. Rishabh Pant | 92

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant broke another record on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. He became the Indian batter with the most sixes in Test cricket, smashing 92 sixes in just 83 innings. He also crossed Virender Sehwag’s record of 91 sixes in 108 innings. 

The left-hander’s aggressive style has transformed India’s Test batting template, and this milestone further reinforces his status as one of the game’s most impactful stroke-makers. Since his debut in 2018, Pant scored 3,454 runs in 48 matches at an average of 44.28 with 8 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

8. Virender Sehwag | 91

In the early 2000s, the term "Aggression" justified the performance of Virender Sehwag on the field. The former Indian cricketer had some other connection with boundaries. He could stand on the pitch and smash the opponents effortlessly. Also, he scored runs at the fastest pace in Test matches. The highest score by an Indian player in Test cricket is 319 runs and the holder of this record is Virendra Sehwag. 

Out of his 23 test centuries he scored 150+ runs in 13 of them. He was often considered not suitable for Test for his aggressive approach on the field, but he proofed everyone wrong and became the eighth cricketer to smash most Test sixes. In 104 test matches, he scored 91 sixes.

9. Angelo Mathews | 90

Angelo Mathews has been a pillar in Sri Lanka’s middle order, mixing solid defense with sudden aggression. His six-hitting ability often helps shift momentum in his team’s favor. Having hit 90 sixes, Mathews uses his power wisely, especially when batting with the tail or consolidating after a collapse.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

10. Rohit Sharma | 88

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has cleared the ropes 88 times in Tests. While his white-ball reputation as a six-machine is well established, it took time for Rohit to settle into Test cricket. But once he started opening the batting in 2019, his Test career transformed.

Rohit combined elegance with power, and while his strike rate in Tests is quite naturally lower than in T20s or ODIs, his ability to launch spinners over midwicket or go aerial through cover remained intact right up until his retirement from the red-ball game. Rohit started his Test career in 2013 and scored 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 with 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. However, Rohit took retirement from the format in 2024.

India and South Africa will lock horns in a two-match Test series, starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. The Proteas last toured India for a Test series back in 2019, when the host blanked them 3-0. 

Talking about recent form in Test cricket, India ushered in the Shubman Gill era with a 2-2 draw in England and a 2-0 sweep over the West Indies at home. Meanwhile, the Proteas levelled 1-1 in Pakistan last month to kick off the defense of the ICC World Test Championship crown. This series is vital for both sides as they look to move up in the ICC WTC standings.

So, before the start of the series, let's have a look at the batters with most runs in India vs South Africa Test series.

Also Read: Most Test Centuries in Cricket History

Most Runs in India vs South Africa Test Series

5. AB de Villiers | 1334 Runs

Former South African captain and 'Mr. 360 Degree' of cricket, AB de Villiers, completes this top-5 list. AB de scored 1,334 runs in 20 Test matches at an average of 39.23 against India, including 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries. 

His best score was an unbeaten 217 runs, which he played in Ahmedabad in 2008. This remains one of the finest innings played on Indian soil by a visiting batsman. This was also his first double century in Test cricket. This innings was played at a time when India was a strong team at home and facing legendary spinners like Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. Amla and de Villiers combined to put the Indian bowlers on the back foot, helping South Africa to an innings victory by scoring 494 runs in the first innings.

4. Virat Kohli | 1408 Runs

Virat Kohli has been one of India’s most consistent performers against South Africa in Test cricket, scoring 1,408 runs in 28 innings at an impressive average of 54.15, including 3 centuries and 5 fifties.

Kohli’s highest score of 254* against the proteas came in Pune (2019). He played this innings while captaining the Indian Test team. He completely demolished the opposition, leading India to over 600 runs and win the match by an innings. Kohli is the only Indian captain to have won a Test series 3-0 against South Africa. This happened in 2019 when India hosted South Africa. He's also the only Indian captain to have beaten South Africa in a Test series twice. Sachin Tendulkar did it first, followed by Sourav Ganguly in 2004.

3. Hashim Amla | 1528 Runs

Elegant and composed Hashim Amla is in third place when it comes to most runs in Tests between India and South Africa. He made 1528 runs at an average of 43.65 in 21 tests, including five centuries and seven fifties.

He had made his South Africa debut in 2004 against India in Kolkata and went on to score big against India both at home and in India, on pitches that helped spinners. His highest score of 253* came in South Africa’s huge innings and six runs in Nagpur in 2010. His knock included 22 fours and, along with Jacques Kallis’ 173, he helped South Africa post 558/6d. India managed 233 and 319 runs in response.

2. Jacques Kallis | 1734 Runs

Legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis comes in at the second spot in this list. Kallis amassed 1734 runs at an average of 69.36 in 18 Tests, including seven centuries and five fifties.

Kallis’ highest score with the bat against India was 201*, which came in the first Test at Centurion in the 2010 series. India had made 136 runs in the first innings. South Africa made 620/4d with centuries by Kallis, Hashim Amla (140), and AB de Villiers (129*). Kallis starred with 201* with 15 fours and five sixes. He also took two wickets across two India innings and was Player of the Match as the Proteas won by an innings and 25 runs. 

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket in 2025

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 1741 Runs

The record for most runs in India vs South Africa Test series is held by India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. The legendary batter has 1741 runs in 45 innings at an average of 42.26 in 25 Tests, including seven centuries and five fifties.

Tendulkar’s brilliant 169 came in the second Test in Cape Town in the 1996 series. South Africa had made 529/7d, and in return, India was 58/5 when Tendulkar, the captain, got together with Mohammad Azharuddin to launch a scathing counterattack in a 222-run partnership. Tendulkar made 169 in 254 balls with 26 fours to his name. His knock was ended by a brilliant catch by Adam Bacher as India went on to lose by 282 runs.

Abhishek Sharma has continued his great form in T20Is and has fought a lone battle against the mighty Australia in the 2nd T20I at the MCG. He scored three back-to-back fifties in the Asia Cup and has now smashed another half-century in just his second outing in Australia. With this, he also notched up the third fastest T20I fifty against Australia after Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh.

In this article, we will take a look at the fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Highest Individual ODI Scores by Indians vs Australia

Fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is

1. Rohit Sharma | 19 balls (2024)

Rohit Sharma smashed a blistering half-century in just 19 balls during T20 World Cup 2024 clash against Australia at Gros Islet. Rohit's 19-ball fifty is the fastest fifties for India vs Australia in T20Is. This is also the third-fastest fifty by an Indian in all editions of the T20 World Cup. Rohit reached the 50-run mark off just 19 balls with a single on the last ball of the fifth over, bowled by Pat Cummins.

During his innings, Rohit also became India's top scorer in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli. He also became the first batter to hit 200 sixes in T20Is.

2. Yuvraj Singh | 20 balls (2007)

Yuvraj Singh smashed a blistering 20-ball half-century to help MS Dhoni-led India thrash Australia in the semi-final and storm into the final of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup (2007). Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India registered a thrilling 15-run win, setting up a historic final clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. 

Fresh from his unforgettable six sixes in an over against England's Stuart Broad, Yuvraj continued his aggressive form. Right from the outset, Yuvraj took the Australian bowlers to task. His fluent driving, coupled with his trademark effortless pulls, sent the ball flying to all parts of the ground. 

3. Abhishek Sharma | 23* balls (2025)

India's star T20I batter Abhishek Sharma's bat blazed in the second T20I match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While other Indian batsmen struggled, Abhishek took on the Australian bowlers aggressively. He completed his half-century in just 23 balls in this match. With this, he moved to third place in the list of batsmen who have scored the fastest fifty for India against Australia. This is also the joint-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter on Australian soil. He was eventually dismissed after scoring 68 runs.

Abhishek smashed eight fours and two sixes en route to his 37-ball 68. This was his sixth T20I fifty as he also boasts a couple of tons. The top-ranked T20I batter has now raced to 936 runs from 26 T20Is at an average of 37.44. His strike rate is a stunning 193.38. 338 of his T20I runs have come in away games at 30.72.

Also Read: Most Runs for India Against Australia in ODIs

4. Yashasvi Jaiswal | 24 balls (2023)

India youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a blistering half-century during the second India-Australia T20I in Thiruvananthapuram in 2023. He got to his half-century off 24 balls as India scored 77 runs in the powerplay. In the fourth over of the Indian innings, he took 24 runs off fast bowler Sean Abbott. The southpaw scored 53 runs off 25 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Jaiswal also helped India make their highest score against the Aussies in the powerplay in T20Is.

Jaiswal, in the meantime, became the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to score a half-century in the powerplay of a T20I.