In the last few years, India vs South Africa rivalry has become one of the most intense and gripping rivalries in Test cricket. The absorbing five-day contests between two nations are slowly reaching the same level of competitiveness that can be seen in the Ashes and in Australia-South Africa Test matches. Test cricket between two teams has already seen some spectacular last day finishes and thrilling draws. India-South Africa Tests have also given some memorable individual performances with the bat and ball from both sides. As we inch closer towards the upcoming Freedom Trophy between two teams, let’s take a look at five of the highest individual scores by batsmen from both sides on Indian soil.   

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India vs South Africa: Top 5 highest individual scores on Indian soil 

5. Virender Sehwag – 164 in Kanpur, 2004

The South African team toured India for a two-match Test series in 2004. The Proteas batsmen declared at a mammoth 510 in their first innings. In response, Sehwag and Gambhir provided a perfect start for the hosts, reaching 218 in just 52 overs. The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ scored a swashbuckling 164 against Pollock and Co. on a batting-friendly Green Park pitch. The match, however, ended in a draw with the hosts winning the second Test to pocket the series 1-0.  

4. Virender Sehwag – 165 in Kolkata, 2010

In another exhilarating Sehwag-special, the right-hander smashed a quick-fire 165 off 174 balls to hand India a huge 347-runs lead over the visitors. India, being 1-0 down in the series, stepped into Eden Gardens under heavy pressure from fans and media. Team India went onto win the match by an innings and 58 runs to level the series.

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3. AB de Villiers – 217* in Motera, Ahmedabad, 2008

After a high-scoring draw in Chennai, the Indian batting line-up was shot out for 76 on the opening morning of the second match. AB de Villiers then led the charge of the South African batting line-up by scoring an unbeaten 217. ABD was also adjudged as ‘Player of the match’ for his match-winning effort.

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2. Hashim Amla – 253* in Nagpur, 2010

In a herculean effort, the stylish South African batsman accumulated 494 runs in two Tests during the Proteas tour of India in 2010. Amla scored a match-winning 253* off 473 balls in SA’s first innings to handover a 1-0 lead to the visitors. 

1. Virender Sehwag – 319 in Chennai, 2008

Virender Sehwag on his destructive mode yet again. The Indian opener’s colossal triple-century was India’s only second individual triple-100 in Test matches. In his nine-hour stay at the crease, the right-hander smashed the likes of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel to all corners of the ground. His 319 off 304 balls came at a strike-rate of 104.93 and his innings included 42 boundaries and five towering sixes.  

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