The third and final ODI between India and South Africa is currently underway on December 6, 2025, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. This is a decisive match as the series stands at 1-1, with both teams fighting for the prestigious victory. India won the opening match at Ranchi with a total of 349/8, while South Africa chased down India’s 358/5 in Raipur in one of the most impressive performances, matching the highest successful chase ever made against India in ODI history.
Understanding the Match Significance
The significance of this match cannot be overstated for both teams. India is fighting desperately to avoid losing both the Test and ODI series at home during the same bilateral tour, which would make them the first home team to suffer such a fate since Pakistan’s tour in 1986-87. The cricket fraternity will remember this as one of the most important matches India has played at home in recent times. The pressure on the Indian team is immense, with the entire nation watching their performance.
On the other hand, South Africa is on the verge of achieving something that rarely happens in international cricket. They are on the verge of achieving a rare double by winning both the Test and ODI series during their bilateral tour in India. This would be a historic achievement that would elevate their status as a competitive Test and ODI nation. Such feats are not common, and South Africa would want to capitalize on their momentum.
Toss Decision and Early Match Action
India won the toss and chose to bowl first, which marks a significant moment as they have ended their frustrating streak of 20 consecutive ODI toss losses. This decision shows India’s confidence in their bowling attack and their trust in the venue’s conditions. Winning the toss after such a long drought is a huge psychological boost for the Indian team.
South Africa is currently batting, and the match has started with aggressive intent from the visitors. Quinton de Kock has already reached 50 runs with an aggressive approach, demonstrating why he is considered one of the most explosive batsmen in international cricket. The South African wicket-keeper has been hitting sixes and fours at a strike rate above 100, putting early pressure on India’s bowling attack and showing no respect for the Indian bowlers. The current score is South Africa 90/1 after 13 overs, which suggests South Africa is playing attacking cricket from the start.
Venue Characteristics and Dew Factor
The venue at Visakhapatnam is known for its unique characteristics that favor chasing teams. Understanding the venue is crucial for predicting match outcomes. Historically, the average first-innings score at this ground is around 233 runs, while teams batting second average around 213 runs. This data clearly indicates that the venue favors chasing, which makes India’s decision to bowl first even more strategic.
Dew is expected to play a crucial role during the evening session, which typically makes batting easier and bowling more difficult. This dew factor could be decisive if the match goes into the final overs, especially for spinners and fast bowlers who struggle to get grip on a wet ball. The dew makes the ball difficult to hold, reducing swing and spin significantly. This could be the deciding factor in a closely contested match.
Virat Kohli’s Quest for History
Virat Kohli has been the standout performer in this series, scoring centuries in both the first and second ODIs. His performances have been nothing short of exceptional, showcasing his mastery against South African bowling. His consistent excellence against South Africa gives him an opportunity to make history today.
If Kohli scores another century, he would become the first player ever to score four consecutive ODI centuries against South Africa. This would be an unprecedented achievement in cricket history. No other batsman has managed to score four consecutive centuries against the same opposition in ODI cricket. Such a record would cement Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game.
Additionally, if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli form a century partnership, they would move to second place for the most 100-run partnerships in ODI cricket history with 21 such partnerships. Currently, they have 20 such partnerships, and one more would push them to second place on the all-time list. This would further establish them as one of the greatest partnerships in cricket.
Playing XI Analysis and Team Combinations
The playing XIs for both teams show balanced combinations with strong batting lineups and competitive bowling attacks. Both teams have selected their best eleven players for this crucial match.
India has included Ravindra Jadeja as an all-rounder, along with spinners Kuldeep Yadav and fast bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. This combination gives India a balanced team with experience and youth working together. Jadeja’s all-round capabilities are crucial in crunch matches like these.
South Africa has Marco Jansen as their all-rounder and Keshav Maharaj as their spinner, with pace bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman providing the bowling variety needed for different conditions. South Africa’s team selection also reflects their strategy of balancing experience with youth.
Series Context and Match Narrative
The series has been characterized by high-scoring cricket from both teams, with aggressive batting approaches and competitive bowling. The pitches have favored batting, and both teams have shown they can score big totals.
However, the chasing factor has also been proven successful, with South Africa’s impressive chase in the second ODI demonstrating that chasing is very much on the cards at these venues. South Africa’s ability to chase down 358 showed the world that they are not just a team that can score runs, but they can chase under pressure as well.
Strategic Implications for Both Teams
For India, this match carries immense pressure as they are fighting to avoid losing both the Test and ODI series at home during the same bilateral tour. The implications are significant as maintaining home dominance has always been crucial for India’s cricket reputation and confidence moving forward into future bilateral series and tournaments.
South Africa, on the other hand, is on the verge of achieving a rare double achievement. The momentum they gained by chasing down India’s massive total in the second ODI suggests they are playing with confidence and unity as a team. Their batting depth, bowling variety, and fielding coordination have all been impressive during this tour.
Match Predictions and Expert Analysis
Based on the series so far, several factors suggest a closely contested match will ensue. The high-scoring nature of the first two matches indicates that both teams are capable of posting formidable totals. The venue’s characteristics favor chasing, and the dew factor in the evening could be decisive. Virat Kohli’s form and South Africa’s momentum are key factors to watch. The team that handles pressure better and adapts to the dew conditions will likely emerge as winners.