by Statistics tell cricket’s real story. They show who wins and who struggles.
India and South Africa have played 176 matches since 1991. Both teams claim victories. Both teams suffer defeats.
Understanding the India vs South Africa head-to-head records in test, ODI & T20I requires careful analysis. You cannot judge this rivalry by watching just one series.
Different eras produced different results. The 1990s belonged to one team. The 2010s favored another team. The 2020s show balanced competition.
Format matters more than people realize. Test champions don’t always win T20Is. ODI leaders sometimes struggle in longer formats.
Both teams play aggressive cricket. Both teams have world-class players. Both teams want to dominate.
Home conditions create advantages. Indian pitches help spinners. South African tracks support pace bowlers.
Traveling becomes the biggest challenge. Winning away tests true quality. Most teams fail this test.
Recent momentum shifts constantly. One series creates confidence. The next series brings disappointment.
India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records in Test, ODI & T20I
This detailed breakdown examines every format separately. Tables show exact numbers.
Comparisons reveal clear patterns. The data answers all questions about who leads this intense rivalry.
Format Power Ranking Overview
| Format | Leader | Margin | Dominance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | South Africa | 20-16 | Moderate |
| ODIs | South Africa | 52-42 | Strong |
| T20Is | India | 19-13 | Clear |
South Africa leads 2 out of 3 formats. But the numbers tell deeper stories.
Rank #1: Test Cricket – The Away Kings Battle
Test Match Complete Stats
| Category | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 16 | 20 |
| Home Wins | 13 | 5 |
| Away Wins | 3 | 17 |
| Draw Matches | 10 | 10 |
| Win Percentage | 34.8% | 43.5% |
Why South Africa Dominates Tests
Away Record Tells Everything:
- South Africa won 17 away Tests
- India won only 3 away Tests
- This gap decides the format winner
Recent Form Matters:
- SA won 2025 series 2-0
- Guwahati victory by 408 runs (biggest margin)
- Eden Gardens win by 30 runs, sealed dominance
India’s Home Strength:
- 13 home wins show fortress mentality
- 2019 series sweep (3-0) was last big moment
- Struggle begins when they leave home
Key Numbers:
- Highest India total: 643/6d
- Highest SA total: 620/4d
- Lowest SA total: 55 (Cape Town 2024)
Test Verdict: South Africa’s away record makes them clear Test leaders.
Rank #2: ODI Cricket – The Momentum Shifters
ODI Performance Breakdown
| Category | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 42 | 52 |
| Home Wins | 28 | 12 |
| Away Wins | 14 | 12 |
| No Results | 3 | 3 |
| Win Percentage | 43.3% | 53.6% |
Why ODI Battle Stays Close
Overall Numbers Favor SA:
- 52-42 lead looks comfortable
- 10-win gap built over 30+ years
- Consistency across decades helps
But India Controls Recent Action:
- Won 2025 series 2-1
- Visakhapatnam decider won by 9 wickets
- Kohli’s 135 in Ranchi set winning tone
Home/Away Split:
- India: 28 home wins vs 14 away wins
- South Africa: 12 home vs 12 away (balanced)
- India needs home advantage more
Run-Scoring Power:
- SA highest: 438/4
- India highest: 401/3
- Both teams love big chases
Recent 10 Matches:
- India won 6
- South Africa won 4
- Momentum clearly shifting
ODI Verdict: South Africa leads overall, but India owns current momentum.
Rank #3: T20I Cricket – India’s Clear Kingdom
T20I Dominance
| Category | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 19 | 13 |
| Win Percentage | 57.6% | 39.4% |
| Highest Score | 283/1 | 227/3 |
| Lowest Score | 90/8 | 87 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
Why India Rules T20Is
Win Percentage Gap is Huge:
- India: 57.6% (nearly 6 out of 10)
- South Africa: 39.4% (less than 4 out of 10)
- Clearest format dominance
Batting Firepower:
- India’s 283/1 is format record between teams
- Tilak Varma: 120* (highest individual)
- Sanju Samson: 109* (second best)
Bowling Attack:
- Arshdeep Singh: 18 wickets (most)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 14 wickets
- SA’s Maharaj: 15 wickets (lone warrior)
Youth Factor:
- New Indian stars emerging fast
- Tilak, Samson changing games
- SA relies on Miller (524 runs but team struggles)
Format Strategy:
- India adapted to T20 culture faster
- IPL experience shows in big moments
- SA lacks consistent match-winners
T20I Verdict: India dominates with better win rate and firepower.
Winning Percentage Today: The Math Behind Rankings
Let’s calculate who actually leads using win percentages.
Overall Across All Formats
| Team | Total Wins | Total Matches | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 85 | 176 | 48.3% |
| India | 77 | 176 | 43.8% |
The Gap: 4.5 percentage points separate these giants.
Format-Wise Win Percentage
Tests:
- South Africa: 43.5%
- India: 34.8%
- Gap: 8.7 points
ODIs:
- South Africa: 53.6%
- India: 43.3%
- Gap: 10.3 points (biggest)
T20Is:
- India: 57.6%
- South Africa: 39.4%
- Gap: 18.2 points (India’s stronghold)
What Numbers Mean
South Africa’s ODI and Test strength gives them an overall edge. India compensates with T20I dominance.
The India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records show balanced competition. No team runs away completely.
Top Run-Scorers Across Formats
Test Cricket
- Sachin Tendulkar (IND): 1,741 runs
- Jacques Kallis (SA): 1,734 runs
- Hashim Amla (SA): 1,528 runs
ODI Cricket
- Sachin Tendulkar (IND): 2,001 runs
- Jacques Kallis (SA): 1,535 runs
- Virat Kohli (IND): 1,504 runs
T20I Cricket
- David Miller (SA): 524 runs
- Rohit Sharma (IND): 429 runs
- Virat Kohli (IND): 394 runs
Legends like Tendulkar and Kallis built this rivalry’s foundation.
Final Leaderboard: Who Wins What?
Format Champions
| Format | Winner | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | South Africa | 20-16 | Strong Lead |
| ODI | South Africa | 52-42 | Comfortable Lead |
| T20I | India | 19-13 | Clear Lead |
Overall Championship
#1: South Africa
- 85 total wins
- Leads in 2 major formats
- Better away record
- 48.3% win rate
#2: India
- 77 total wins
- T20I dominance
- Home fortress unbeatable
- 43.8% win rate
The Reality Check
South Africa leads the all-time India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records by 8 wins. That’s just 4.5% difference across 176 matches.
What This Means:
- Almost equal rivalry
- Format preference decides outcomes
- Home advantage is massive for both
- Recent form can shift rankings quickly
Future Predictions
If India wins the upcoming T20I series 3-2:
- Gap reduces to 85-82
- Percentage becomes 48.3% vs 46.6%
- Almost dead even
If South Africa sweeps 5-0:
- Gap extends to 90-77
- Percentage becomes 51.1% vs 43.8%
- Clear separation happens
The Bottom Line
The India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records prove this rivalry belongs to both teams.
South Africa owns Tests and ODIs. Their away strength makes the difference.
India controls T20Is completely. Young talent keeps pushing boundaries.
Current Standings:
- Overall: South Africa (85-77)
- Tests: South Africa (20-16)
- ODIs: South Africa (52-42)
- T20Is: India (19-13)
Every series changes the story. Every match adds new chapters. This battle never gets old.
The numbers say South Africa leads today. But cricket fans know the truth. When these teams play, rankings don’t matter. Only the fight does.
Also Check:
