Team India, captained by Virat Kohli, has arrived in South Africa and will begin preparations for the much-anticipated three-match Test series there shortly. Even before coming to South Africa, the visitors were dealt a major blow when it was announced that Rohit Sharma, the recently chosen vice-captain, would miss the Test series.Despite his absence, India has a strong batting lineup and is likely to dominate South Africa at home. India has never beaten South Africa in a Test series at home. Before the much-anticipated series begins, these are India’s top run scorers in Tests against South Africa:

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar takes over the top spot after scoring 1741 runs in 25 Test matches. Against the Proteas, the Master Blaster scored 7 centuries and 5 half-centuries. In 1997, he had his highest score of 169 against South Africa, but it was in a losing cause in Cape Town. Against South Africa, Tendulkar averaged 42.46 and had three ducks.

Virender Sehwag

With 1306 runs in his account, former India vice-captain Virender Sehwag is in second place. He hit 5 tonnes against them and averaged 50.23. Sehwag had a strike rate of 80.56 while batting. In 2001, Sehwag made a remarkable Test debut, hitting 105 off 173 balls against South Africa. In Chennai, he recorded his highest score of 319 (out of 304) versus SA.

Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, India’s current head coach, is in third place with 1252 runs in 21 Test matches between 1996 and 2011. Despite his height and records, he struggled against Proteas, averaging 33.83. Dravid struck them for two tonnes and five half-centuries. He is the only batter on the list who has not hit a six.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, who is on his third trip to South Africa with the Test team, sits just behind Dravid with 1075 runs. In 2019, he had his greatest Test score of 254* against Proteas. Kohli, who will lead India in South Africa for the second time in a series, will face the most difficult task in ending India’s winless streak there. India has never won a series in the rainbow nation, despite winning Test matches there. The previous time India visited South Africa, they were defeated 2-1 in the series.

VVS Laxman

With 976 runs in his credit, VVS Laxman completes the top five list. The Indian legend hit a tonne against them, averaging 37.53 runs per innings. Laxman’s highest score, 143*, came against South Africa in a match that he won. India amassed a score of 643/6, winning by an innings and 57 runs, thanks to hundreds from three batsmen.