The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will take place at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6, with the series tied at 1-1. The decider will reveal which side gets the bragging rights in what has been a captivating rat race between two heavyweight Test nations.
The victor moves on while the vanquished has to make do with a series draw, thereby putting a great deal of the pressure on both teams in this home soil winner-takes-all confrontation.
India’s first win in Ranchi proved their middle order’s strength and the bowlers’ involvement, with Virat Kohli’s 52nd ODI ton being the main driver of the 17-run win. Nonetheless, South Africa showed very high level of cricket in Raipur, completing the record 359-run chase with Aiden Markram’s 110 and the batting partnerships behind them.
Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
- Matches Played: 96
- IND Won: 51
- SA Won: 42
Match Details
Details: India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI, South Africa tour of India 2025
Venue: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam – Pitch Report
The pitch at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam is often regarded as a surface that favours the batters; however, the pitch does give help to the spinners as the match goes on. The typical score for the first inning at this ground is 233, and the side that wins the toss will prefer to bowl first at this place.
India’s Strengths
India possess explosive middle-order firepower through Virat Kohli, who delivered his 52nd ODI century in Ranchi under pressure. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul provide dependable opening partnerships, establishing strong foundations. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century in Raipur demonstrates bench strength in batting. Their bowling unit successfully defended 347 runs in the first ODI, showcasing ability to execute tight bowling strategies under match pressure.
India’s Weaknesses
India’s inability to defend 358 runs in Raipur reveals chinks in their death-bowling armor against quality opposition. Inconsistent execution in crucial moments allowed South Africa’s remarkable 359-run chase to succeed. Their bowling attack struggles occasionally when facing aggressive batting partnerships. Middle-order batsmen occasionally squander starts, creating momentum disruptions. Defensive lapses in final overs expose vulnerabilities against world-class teams capable of mounting successful comebacks.
South Africa’s Strengths
South Africa demonstrated clinical excellence executing a record 359-run chase in Raipur, showcasing aggressive intent and technical proficiency. Aiden Markram’s match-winning 110, supported by strong partnerships with Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis, proved their top-order depth. Their batting lineup possesses world-class talent capable of dismantling quality attacks. This aggressive approach and successful chase builds tremendous psychological momentum heading into the series decider.
South Africa’s Weaknesses
South Africa’s inability to capitalize on their opening dominance in Ranchi cost them the first ODI despite strong batting performances. Their bowling unit conceded 347 runs, suggesting occasional death-bowling inconsistencies. Defensive vulnerabilities emerge when facing quality spinners and yorker bowlers. Reliance on middle-order heroics sometimes indicates top-order instability. Their earlier defeat indicates they struggle maintaining consistency across both innings against India’s quality attack.
Predicted Playing 11s
India (IND): Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
South Africa (SA): Ryan Rickelton(w), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman
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