The rivalry between South Africa and Sri Lanka in T20 International cricket has been characterized by intense competition and thrilling encounters. Both teams, known for their explosive batting and formidable bowling attacks, have engaged in closely contested matches, showcasing their prowess in the shortest format. The RSA vs SL T20I rivalry has produced nail-biting finishes, outstanding individual performances, and a rich history of head-to-head battles, making it a captivating and eagerly anticipated fixture in the era of T20 cricket. This article is about the top 10 run scorers for South Africa in the T20Is against Sri Lanka.
1. Reeza Hendricks
Reeza Hendricks is a classy opening batter for South Africa in the white ball formats. His attacking gameplay has made him stand out as an opening batter. Hendricks made his T20I debut against Australia in 2014 and has been an irregular inclusion in the squad ever since. His ability to play big shots without losing posture has made him a fine opening batter for the Proteas. Hendricks is also a fantastic fielder willing to put his body on the line, whenever needed. The right-handed opening batter has scored 322 runs in nine T20I innings against Sri Lanka.
2. Quinton de Kock
Quinton De Kock has established himself as one of the best openers in the white ball formats. The experienced left-handed batter has scored plenty of runs for South Africa across formats. De Kock has also been a part of various T20 leagues worldwide and has showcased his ability quite often. He made his T20I debut against New Zealand in 2012 and has been one of the most prolific batters for the Proteas. In the T20Is against Sri Lanka, the left-hander has scored 272 runs in eleven innings.
3. JP Duminy
In all three formats, Jean-Paul Duminy was a former left-handed middle-order batter for South Africa. More successful in the white ball formats, Duminy was one of the best performers for the Proteas. Also, a more than handy off-spinner, he used to provide essential breakthroughs to the team. He made his T20I debut against Bangladesh in 2007 and continued playing until 2019. Currently a mentor of the Men’s South African team, Duminy was one of the most experienced players in his cricketing tenure. He scored 262 runs in nine innings against Sri Lanka in the T20Is.
4. David Miller
One of the finest hitters of the white ball, David Miller, is a left-handed middle-order batter known for finishing his team's games. The southpaw made his T20I debut in 2010 against the West Indies. Miller’s consistent performances have always benefitted South Africa in the white ball formats. With experience and runs in his career, the left-handed batter and an absolute gun fielder has been one of the best white ball players for South Africa. He has scored 245 runs in eleven innings against Sri Lanka in the T2OIs.
5. Faf du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis is one of the finest openers in the shortest format. The right-handed batter with a unique stance and unorthodox style of play, Du Plessis, has scored many runs for his nation across formats. Considered a T20 specialist, he has been a prominent part of the T20 leagues worldwide. He is also the skipper of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and has been a big contributor with the bat. He has scored 170 runs in the six T20Is against Sri Lanka. The former skipper awaits his comeback in the national side in the shortest format.
6. AB de Villiers
The man who needs no introduction, AB De Villiers, was an absolute beast in the shortest format. The Mr 360 of the sport, De Villiers could smash the bowler in every corner of the ground. The right-handed middle-order batter made his T20I debut against Australia in 2006 and established himself as a regular inclusion in the team. Also, a prominent part of the IPL, he represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore for most of his IPL career. De Villiers announced his international retirement in 2018 and scored 168 runs in seven T20I innings against Sri Lanka.
7. Rassie Van der Dussen
Rassie Van Der Dussen is a right-handed top-order batter who plays with a lot of consistency across formats. One of the rare batters for South Africa to excel in all three forms of the game, VD Dussen, is known for his powerful and elegant stroke play. The tall batter made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2018 and has been a regular appearance in the last three years for South Africa. He likes to take on the opposition with his aggressive batting and fearless approach. VD Dussen has scored 114 runs in three T20i innings against Sri Lanka.
8. Aiden Markram
In all three formats, Aiden Markram is a right-handed top-order batter for South Africa. One of the most consistent performers in the white ball formats, Markram has been a big contributor to his nation in the last two years. Also, a stand-in captain at times, Aiden has proven his leadership skills under challenging situations. He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka in 2019 and established himself as one of the able batting talents in the team. Markram has scored 106 runs in five innings for South Africa against Sri Lanka in the shortest format of the game.
9. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was a former right-handed opening batter for South Africa across all formats. One of the most consistent and prolific Protea batters, Amla, made his T20I debut against England in 2008 and established himself among the best batters in the world quite early in his career. He has scored 95 runs in just four innings in the T20Is against Sri Lanka.
10. Dwaine Pretorius
The 34-year all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a hard-hitting right-handed batter down the order for South Africa. He made his T20I debut against England in 2017 and has been an on-and-off appearance in the squad ever since. Pretorius has scored 87 runs in three T20I innings against Sri Lanka.
