India vs South Africa Stats Wizard: Top 5 knocks in T20Is

Suresh Raina, India’s first Centurian in T20Is, the main highlight as we find the top 5 knocks in India vs South Africa T20I series. 

India vs South Africa intense T20I rivalry started in 2007 during the 2007 T20 World Cup. South Africa were facing a qualification scenario as they needed only 127 runs in 20 overs to qualify for the semi-finals. However, they could only manage 116 runs leaving them knocked-out; thus maintaining their ‘chokers’ tag. 

Overall, India have played South Africa 13 times in T20Is, that’s roughly 1 match per year, of which India have had the upper hand winning 8 matches, while South Africa won 5.

For India, Rohit Sharma is the leading run-scorer against South Africa in T20Is with a total of 341 runs from 10 innings at an average of 37.88. While for South Africa, JP Duminy is the leading run-scorer against India in T20Is with a total of 295 runs from 10 innings at an average of 59.

Surprisingly, there have been only 2 centuries in the India vs South Africa T20I series, and both have come from the Indian batsman. However, there have been some superb knocks from the South African side too. 

So, which knocks rank among the best when these two teams met in the T20Is? Let’s find out in our article using our unique methodology.

METHODOLOGY:

We have analyzed the top batting knocks on the basis of the batting points calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as runs scored, acceleration bonus, relative strike rate and runs bonus, number of fours, number of sixes, number of good knocks and match-winning knock points, and the player of the match points.

To leave out the biases and perceptions, we have kept things simple by comparing the overall batting points of all the knocks to find out the top 5 knocks in the India vs South Africa T20I series.

So, without any further delay, let’s find out the top 5 knocks in the India vs South Africa T20I series.

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#5: Morne van Wyk’s 67(39) | Durban | 2011 

Score: 67(39) | Fours: 5 | Sixes: 5

Strike Rate: 171.8 | Batting Points: 135.0

During India’s tour of South Africa in 2011, India played only one T20I against South Africa, and they won that match by 21 runs. But, the single-handed performance from Morne Van Wyk is worth remembering. 

Chasing 169, van Wyk got South Africa to a flier as he single-handedly lifted South Africa to 87-2 at the end of 9 overs. He got to his fifty in just 24 balls, and his knock of 67(39) comprised of 5 fours and 5 maximums. 

The victory looked probably for SA as they needed only 82 more from 66 deliveries. However, Yuvraj rocked back South Africa with twin blows as it initiated the collapse. In the end, South Africa could only manage 148 as they lost the match by 21 runs. 

So, for providing a stunning start, Morne van Wyk’s knock is fifth on the list with a total of 135 batting points.

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#4: JP Duminy’s 68(34) | Dharamshala | 2015 

Score: 68(34) | Fours: 1 | Sixes: 7

Strike Rate: 200.0 | Batting Points: 148.3

At number 4 is JP Duminy’s inspirational performance in a chase that overpowered Rohit Sharma’s fabulous maiden century. Batting first, India scored a mammoth 199 at the end of 20 overs on account of Rohit Sharma’s fabulous century. Chasing 200, South Africa needed something inspirational as they were chasing their second-highest score in T20Is. 

JP Duminy came in to bat with 107 needed from last 10 overs. He started slowly as he managed only 15 off his first 14 deliveries, mostly relying on singles. But, Axar Patel’s over changed the momentum completely as JP Duminy smashed Patel for a hat-trick of sixes. 

The momentum opened the gap for South Africa as they chased the target with 2 balls to go. JP Duminy remained not out on 68*(34). For his inspirational performance, JP Duminy’s knock is fourth on the list with a total of 148.3 batting points.

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#3: Rohit Sharma’s 106(66) | Dharamshala | 2015 

Score: 106(66) | Fours: 12 | Sixes: 5

Strike Rate: 160.1 | Batting Points: 166.6

While JP Duminy did help his side to the victory, it takes nothing away from the stunning century that Rohit Sharma hit; his maiden T20 hundred. 

It was a typical Rohit Sharma hundred where he took time initially to settle, and then unleashed his beast mode. He scored his fifty off 39 balls, and then went on to score his next fifty runs off just 23 balls.  

Rohit got out slightly early in the 16^th over, but not before scoring a fabulous 106(66) with 78 runs in boundaries. If he had stayed slightly longer, India could have crossed 200, and would have turned out a match-winning total.  

Nevertheless, for hitting his maiden T20I hundred, Rohit Sharma’s knock is third on the list with a total of 166.6 batting points.

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#2: Heinrich Klaasen’s 69(30) | Centurion | 2018 

Score: 69(30) | Fours: 3 | Sixes: 7

Strike Rate: 230.0 | Batting Points: 170.7

In another high scoring game, Heinrich Klaasen pulled-off a stunning victory with a fabulous display of batting. Chasing 189, Klaasen came in to bat with 151 required from 15 overs. The Indian bowlers looked clueless against Klaasen from the start as he whacked them to all parts of the ground.

His carnage against India’s premier spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal where he smashed him for a 6, 6, and 4 in a single over was a treat ot watch. While he did get out in the 14^th over, it was not before he got South Africa in the driving seat.

For smashing Indian bowlers with exemplary confidence, Heinrich Klaasen’s knock is second on the list with a total of 170.7 batting points.

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#1: Suresh Raina’s 101(60) | Gros Islet | 2010 

Score: 101(60) | Fours: 9 | Sixes: 5

Strike Rate: 168.3 | Batting Points: 182.3

It took 22 matches for an Indian player to score a century in T20 Internationals, but, when it came, it came from the bat of Suresh Raina, who was a hot property in T20 cricket at that time. In what was a horrible T20 World Cup 2010 campaign for Team India where they exited in the group stage, Suresh Raina’s knock was the most memorable knock of the tournament. Not only was it the first hundred by an Indian in T20Is, but also the highest score of the tournament. 

Batting first, Suresh Raina came in to bat in the very first over after the dismissal of Murali Vijay for a duck. Raina did start slowly scoring only 26 of his first 25 balls. But, he got in in the groove as soon as he completed his fifty in 42 balls. After that, it was no stopping Raina as he smashed 50 runs off his next 18 deliveries while completing his century with a six.

Courtesy to his fabulous batting, India managed 75 from the last 5 overs giving South Africa a target of 187 runs, of which, they could only manage 172. For being the first Indian to score a hundred in T20Is, Suresh Raina’s knock is the best knock in an India vs South Africa T20I series with a total of 182.9 batting points.

So, these are the top 5 knocks in the India vs South Africa T20I series.

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