India vs South Africa: Top 5 Test centuries by Indians in South Africa

3. Rahul Dravid’s 148 – 3rd Test in Johannesburg, 1996-97

Rahul Dravid, then 24, made a statement through his unbeaten 27 in the first Test in Durban where India were bundled out for 66 and handed a massive 328-run defeat in the game. That the man was technically sound and could give any opponent a tough time. It became further evident in the third game of the series at Johannesburg.

India had already lost the series by then but Dravid’s determination was intact. Coming out at No. 3 when the score was 25, he penned an epic 148 off 362 balls (541 minutes) during which he hit 21 fours. He was the last man out when the team total was 410 and subsequently earned the nickname of “The Wall” for his impeccable defence.

It was Dravid’s first century in Tests and had healed the agony of his fans who saw him falling just five short of a debut century the year before. India had come very close to winning that Test but for the weather and some gritty batting by Daryll Cullinan.