Top five highest wicket-takers for India against South Africa in T20I cricket

India and South Africa are two of the biggest teams in the cricketing world. The rivalry between South Africa and India has resulted in some of the most exciting matches in the T20I format over the years.

This fascinating rivalry was further enhanced by the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 final, in which the Indian team narrowly defeated South Africa.

In the T20I format, taking consistent wickets is extremely valuable because it reduces the batting team's run rate. In T20I cricket, Indian bowlers have been instrumental in India's victory over the Proteas.

In this article, let’s examine India's top five wicket-takers in T20Is against South Africa.

5. Harshal Patel – 9 wickets

Known for his slower ball variations in the death overs, Harshal Patel has picked up nine wickets against South Africa in his T20I career. 

Harshal has taken nine wickets at an average of 23 while keeping an economy rate of 8.6 in eight games against the Proteas. In 2022, Patel's best showing against South Africa came in Visakhapatnam, where he claimed 4/25.

4. Hardik Pandya – 9 wickets

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has taken nine wickets against South Africa in T20Is. In T20I cricket, Hardik also holds the record for taking the fifth-most wickets for India.

At a respectable average of 28, Hardik has taken nine wickets in ten innings against South Africa. In the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup match against South Africa, Hardik bowled the last over and helped India win by successfully defending 16 runs.

3. Arshdeep Singh – 10 wickets

Arshdeep Singh, a 25-year-old Indian left-arm fast bowler, has established himself as one of the top pacers in T20 cricket right now. In T20Is, Arshdeep has taken 10 wickets against South Africa and is renowned for his superb bowling in the death overs.

With 17 wickets during the tournament, including two in the final match against South Africa, Arshdeep was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 11 wickets

One of India’s greatest-ever spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin was a highly successful bowler against South Africa in T20Is. Ashwin had an outstanding bowling average of 25 and took 11 wickets against the Proteas.

One of the most spectacular dismissals of Ashwin’s career came against South Africa when he bowled Hashim Amla around his leg during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014.

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 14 wickets

Throughout the 2010s, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a consistent member of India's bowling lineup. In T20I cricket, Bhuvneshwar took the most wickets for India against South Africa. Bhuvneshwar, who is well-known for his swing bowling with the new ball, took 14 wickets at an economy rate of just 6 against South Africa.

Bhuvneshwar’s second-best T20I bowling figures came against South Africa when he picked up five wickets for 24 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series in 2018. Kumar made his final appearance for India in a T20I in 2022.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official