Tony de Zorzi Connor Esterhuizen Sourav Ganguly Sachin Tendulkar. Image Credits: AFPSouth African batters Tony de Zorzi and Connor Esterhuysen have entered the record books led by Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, thanks to their amazing batting effort in the recent second ODI against Namibia in Windhoek on September 11, 2026.South Africa led the three-match ODI series by 1-0, having won the first game at the same venue by 99 runs via the DLS method. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and chose to field first in the second game.Tony de Zorzi and Connor Esterhuizen lead the way for South AfricaLast ODI game’s hero Jordan Hermann, who made 150 runs on his debut, only managed 20 runs this time around. However, his opening partners, Connor Esterhuizen and Tony de Zorzi, took over the run scoring and steadied the South African ship.The duo batted brilliantly and kept all the risky shots away and added 183 runs for the second wicket for South Africa. This partnership took away the early advantage that Namibia had gotten with the early wicket of Hermann. This brilliant partnership between Esterhuizen and De Zorzi was also the fourth highest for any wicket against Namibia in ODI cricket.Also Read: Jordan Hermann Smashes Highest ODI Score By A Debutant In International Cricket, Check Full ListSachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly get company from Tony de Zorzi and Connor EsterhuizenThe list is led by Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who added 244 runs for the second wicket. Sachin Tendulkar had made 152 runs in 151 balls with 18 fours, and Sourav Ganguly made 112* in 119 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes, as India piled on 311/2 in 50 overs.Tony de Zorzi appears twice in the top five of the list of highest partnerships in ODIs against Namibia, as he had previously added 190 runs for the second wicket with Jordan Hermann in the first ODI.Highest Partnerships for Any Wicket vs Namibia in ODIs:244 - Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly (India), Pietermaritzburg, 2003 (2nd wicket)228 - Feiko Kloppenburg & Klaas-Jan van Noortwijk (Netherlands), Bloemfontein, 2003 (2nd wicket)190 - Tony de Zorzi & Jordan Hermann (South Africa), Windhoek, 2026 (2nd wicket)183 - Tony de Zorzi & Connor Esterhuizen (South Africa), Windhoek, 2026 (2nd wicket), Today*170 - Richie Berrington & Michael Cross (Scotland), Dundee, 2024 (3rd wicket)Connor Esterhuisen slams a wonderful century as South Africa takes advantageConnor Esterhuizen had missed out in the first ODI against Namibia, where debutant Jordann Hermann had made 150 runs. This time, Esterhuizen made 119 runs in 110 balls, hitting 8 fours and 6 sixes. He found great support from De Zorzi, who made 79 runs in 87 balls, hitting 6 fours and one six.However, Jack Brassell’s three wickets and Ruben Trumpelmann’s two wickets helped Namibia keep South Africa in check despite the brilliant partnership at the top. The next best scores after them were Dewald Brevis’ 37 runs and Eathan Bosch’s 29 runs.Esterhuizen had made just 10 runs on his ODI debut in the first match. He has already featured in 10 T20Is for Proteas, scoring 326 runs. Also Read: AB de Villiers Serves Brutal Reality Check On Tilak Varma's Place In Indian Cricket
.jpg?type=mq "India's Record At Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi Before T20I Series vs Afghanistan In 2026")
