India vs South Africa Highlights, 3rd ODI: India thrash South Africa by nine wickets, take series home 2-1

Arshdeep Singh keeps things tight in the 34th over apart from one overpitched ball that Brevis drills through extra cover for four; the rest are dots and a single as Brevis struggles to connect consistently and Jansen sees out the final delivery, with South Africa moving past 200.

RSA 204/5 in 34 overs

Prasidh Krishna produces a superb turnaround, removing centurion Quinton de Kock for 106 runs (off 89 balls) with a full, straight delivery that beats the inside edge and shatters the stumps, giving India a major breakthrough after de Kock’s dominant innings.

RSA 199/5 in 33 overs

Prasidh Krishna keeps things tight in the 31st over, mixing back-of-a-length deliveries and the occasional fuller ball to allow just three singles; de Kock nudges a couple while Brevis adds one but is otherwise kept quiet as South Africa move to 188/4 with the Indian quick maintaining control after his double-strike.

RSA 188/4 in 31 overs

Quinton de Kock reaches a superb century, his seventh against India, as Harshit Rana drops one short and he swivels into a clean pull that sails over deep mid-wicket; the South African dressing room rises to applaud, Kohli joins in from cover, and de Kock’s authoritative knock caps a brilliant recovery after an early struggle with the moving ball. Rana gives away 15 runs in that over as South Africa move closer to 200.

RSA 185/4 in 30 overs

Prasidh Krishna delivers a double blow in the 28th over, first trapping Breetzke lbw with a fuller ball the batter misreads, then removing Aiden Markram for just 1 as the South African skipper mistimes a loose drive straight to Kohli at cover; two soft dismissals give India a sudden surge of momentum.

RSA 170-4 in 29 overs

Prasidh Krishna strikes immediately as Matthew Breetzke premeditates for the short ball, misses a fuller delivery, and is trapped plumb in front; umpire Madanagopal raises the finger without hesitation, and the review confirms the decision, sending Breetzke back for 24 and bringing Aiden Markram to the crease.

RSA 168/3 in 28.2 overs vs India

Only two runs from this over of Krishna means he has now brought his economy rate down under 10 runs an over. It shows Krishna has responded strongly after a costly previous phase; the over ends with singles to Breetzke and de Kock, yielding just two runs as South Africa conitnue to amass runs.


RSA 160/2 in 27 overs

Tilak Varma’s over goes for 15 as Matthew Breetzke attacks from the start, slog-sweeping and then stepping out to club back-to-back sixes over long-on, before adding a few controlled singles alongside Quinton de Kock; India’s part-time options continue to leak runs as South Africa's score goes past 150.

RSA 158/2 after 26 overs

Despite the fall of Temba Bavuma just a few overs back, South Africa seem to be in complete control of their batting. Quinton de Kock nears 100. India need a couple of more wickets to put some pressure on the batters. Otherwise, they will have a big target to chase.

RSA 143/2 in 25 overs

Ravindra Jadeja strikes in the 21st over, dismissing Temba Bavuma for 48. The wicket breaks a crucial partnership as Bavuma slices a slightly short delivery to backward point, where Virat Kohli takes a safe catch. Earlier in the over, both batsmen rotated the strike and Bavuma had smashed a four with a well-timed slog sweep. India get a vital breakthrough just as South Africa were looking to accelerate.

Score: South Africa 114/2 (21 overs)

Temba Bavuma takes charge in the 19th over, hitting a classy reverse sweep for four and picking up a quick single to help South Africa reach the 100-run mark. Quinton de Kock remains steady at the other end with his fifty, and the pair continue to build a solid platform after the early wicket.

Score: South Africa 100/1 (19 overs)

Ninth 50-plus score for Quinton de Kock against India in ODIs. Of the previous eight, six were converted into 100s.

Quinton de Kock continues to dominate, launching a low full toss over mid-wicket for four early in the 17th over. Both he and Bavuma rotate the strike well with singles, adding 6 runs off the over. South Africa’s innings remains steady as the platform builds for a strong middle phase.

Score: South Africa 92/1 (17 overs)

Quinton de Kock brings up a well-deserved fifty in the 16th over, blasting a massive six over deep square leg to reach the milestone. Alongside Temba Bavuma, he keeps the innings ticking with smart singles and careful shot selection. After early struggles in the series, de Kock’s aggressive yet controlled knock gives South Africa a solid platform.

Score: South Africa 86/1 (16 overs)

Ravindra Jadeja’s over goes for just 5 runs as Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma rotate the strike efficiently. Singles flow smoothly, but boundaries are hard to come by. South Africa continue to rebuild cautiously after the early wicket, keeping the innings ticking along.

Score: South Africa 72/1 (14 overs)

Fewest innings to 2000 ODI runs for SA
40 - Hashim Amla
45 - Rassie van der Dussen
50 - Gary Kirsten
53 - Quinton de Kock
53 - Temba Bavuma
Aged 35y 203d, Bavuma is the oldest of the 22 SA batters to reach 2000 ODI runs, followed by Rassie van der Dussen (34y, 247d).

Prasidh Krishna’s over proves costly as Quinton de Kock takes charge, smashing two massive sixes and a boundary to take South Africa past the 50-run mark. Bavuma rotates the strike with singles, keeping the innings moving. De Kock’s aggression and timing put India under pressure, ending the over for 18 runs.

Score: South Africa 60/1 (11 overs)

Harshit Rana concedes 8 runs in the tenth over, with Temba Bavuma reaching his 2000th ODI run in style. Bavuma combines a two, a crisp four, and a single, while de Kock nudges one for a quick single at the other end. India’s bowlers remain disciplined, but South Africa are steadily rebuilding.

Score: South Africa 42/1 (10 overs)

Prasidh Krishna concedes 9 runs in the ninth over. Quinton de Kock unleashes a massive six over deep midwicket, while both batsmen rotate the strike with smart singles. Bavuma also looks more confident, piercing gaps with controlled drives. India still hold the upper hand, but South Africa are slowly getting into the rhythm.

Score: South Africa 34/1 (9 overs)

Harshit Rana keeps up his disciplined bowling in the eighth over, giving away just 2 runs. Bavuma looks cautious against the full deliveries while de Kock picks up a single with a well-timed glance. India maintain control as the over ends with South Africa struggling to accelerate.

Score: South Africa 25/1 (8 overs)

Arshdeep Singh continues his fine spell in the seventh over, mixing good movement with a few wayward deliveries. Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma pick up singles off soft hands, and two wides add to South Africa’s total. The over goes for 5 runs, keeping India firmly in control.

Score: South Africa 23/1 (7 overs)

Harshit Rana delivers a flawless sixth over, beating Temba Bavuma on every ball. The South African captain is unable to find the boundary, defending carefully and rotating the bat. India maintain control as the over goes for no runs.

Score: South Africa 18/1 (6 overs)

Arshdeep Singh keeps the pressure tight early in the fifth over, beating Bavuma twice, but the South African captain breaks free with a stylish four over point. He also picks up a quick single to keep the scoreboard ticking. De Kock remains steady at the other end as India finish the over with 5 runs.

Score: South Africa 18/1 (5 overs)

After a tight start, the fourth over brings some much-needed runs for South Africa. Quinton de Kock flashes twice for boundaries, both edges flying past the slips, while Bavuma rotates the strike with singles and a clever two. Harshit Rana concedes 12 runs but keeps the pressure through good length and line.

Score: South Africa 13/1 (4 overs)

Arshdeep Singh keeps the pressure firmly on South Africa with a second maiden over. He beats Bavuma twice with movement and bounce, forcing the captain into hesitant shots. Bavuma is still searching for his first run as India’s bowlers maintain complete control.

Score: South Africa 1/1 (3 overs)

Harshit Rana backs up Arshdeep brilliantly with a tight maiden over. He troubles de Kock with movement and bounce, even hitting him on the arm, before finishing with six dot balls. South Africa are under early pressure with both bowlers settling in nicely.

Score: South Africa 1/1 (2 overs)

Arshdeep Singh gives India the perfect start by removing Ryan Rickelton for a duck. After three tight outswingers, Rickelton finally chased a fuller ball outside off and edged it to KL Rahul. De Kock picked up a single earlier in the over, but India end the first over on top.

Score: South Africa 1/1 (1 over)

India walked into the third ODI in Visakhapatnam with the series locked at 1-1, but there was another storyline running quietly in the background. For the first time in more than two years, an Indian captain finally won an ODI toss. The last instance came during the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. Since then, the coin simply refused to fall India's way.

KL Rahul ended that long run of frustration when he called correctly ahead of the decider and immediately chose to bowl. With dew expected to play a major role again, the decision matched the pattern seen throughout this tour. Winning the toss not only gave India their preferred plan but also came as a psychological lift after enduring twenty straight losses at the toss.

The change in fortune arrived on a day when India also made one adjustment to their XI, handing Tilak Varma an opportunity in place of Washington Sundar. South Africa, stretched by injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, made two forced changes as Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman stepped in.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma admitted he would also have chosen to bowl first after India won the toss in Visakhapatnam. Speaking before the start of the decider, Bavuma said a strong beginning with the bat is crucial for his side, especially with a reshuffled top order. “We would have bowled first. A good start upfront will set it up for the middle order,” he said.

Bavuma acknowledged the atmosphere in Vizag, praising the turnout and hoping for another tight contest. “It has been entertaining. The crowd has come out. Hope today is another thrilling one,” he added.

South Africa have made two enforced changes. Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman come into the XI after Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger were ruled out with hamstring injuries. Bavuma confirmed that both sidelined players are expected to miss a couple of weeks, a blow for a side already stretched in the pace department.

With the series level at 1-1, the visitors will need their new combinations to settle quickly. The top order must take charge early, while the bowlers will hope to handle the dew later in the evening. South Africa have shown resilience on this tour, and this decider offers them one more chance to push India hard.

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna

India have won the toss and opted to field first in the series decider. KL Rahul explained the call, saying the team trained under lights on Friday and noticed that the dew arrived later than it did in Ranchi and Raipur. Even with that slight change, India remain convinced that chasing is the safer option on this ground.

Rahul said, “We are going to bowl first. We trained here last night, there was dew and it didn't come in early as Ranchi and Raipur.” The decision keeps India aligned with the trend of this venue, where conditions often favour teams batting second once the ball gets wet and becomes harder for bowlers to grip.

India are likely to field an unchanged XI for the third straight match, with no obvious reason to tinker. Ruturaj Gaikwad impressed at No.4, while Washington Sundar and KL Rahul have handled their roles smoothly. Prasidh Krishna has been expensive, but with no reserve pacer in the squad, India are set to continue with the same combination. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli will again carry the batting load, and Kohli’s stellar record in Vizag – which includes scores of 118, 117, 157 not out and 99 – only adds to India’s confidence.

South Africa, meanwhile, have issues to sort out. Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger both suffered hamstring injuries, forcing changes for the decider. Ottneil Baartman is set to return, while Rubin Hermann could replace de Zorzi if the visitors want to retain their balance. Matthew Breetzke, now batting at No.4, said he is growing more comfortable in the role and hopes to improve further.

With dew likely to influence the contest again, both sides know the value of the chase. India have dominated ODIs since 2023, but South Africa are on the brink of a rare double on Indian soil. Everything points to a thrilling finish in Visakhapatnam.

South Africa fast bowler Nandre Burger and top-order batter Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the third One-Day International (ODI) against India on Saturday after picking up injuries during the second match of the series.

With the contest level at 1-1, Visakhapatnam’s ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium will host the decider, but the visitors will enter the game with significant setbacks. Cricket South Africa confirmed that Burger experienced discomfort in his right hamstring while bowling in the second ODI, while de Zorzi felt pain in the same area while batting and could not continue his innings during the chase.

Both players underwent scans on Friday, which revealed the extent of their injuries. South Africa, already missing Kagiso Rabada due to a niggle, now face added pressure on their pace attack.

De Zorzi, who scored 39 in the first ODI and then made 17 off 11 balls in Raipur before retiring hurt, has also been ruled out of the five-match T20I series beginning on December 9. He will return home for treatment, and CSA has not named replacements for either de Zorzi or Burger.

The statement also noted that young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has not made the expected progress in his recovery from a left hamstring injury and will not be fit for the start of the T20I series. He has been withdrawn from the squad, with Lutho Sipamla named as his replacement.

The series has reached a fascinating point, and once again dew is at the centre of every conversation. In this part of the world, chasing under lights is often a huge advantage, and this series has proved it. South Africa nearly pulled off a dramatic win in the first ODI despite a shaky start, and then chased down 359 in the second match to level the series. India have not won a single toss so far, which has only made their job tougher.

Visakhapatnam has a clear pattern too. All five matches of the recent Women’s World Cup at this venue were won by teams batting second. Australia successfully chased 331, while South Africa came back from 81 for 5 to chase 252. Evening conditions are expected to be similar again.

For South Africa, this is a rare chance to do something historic. India almost never lose both a Test and ODI series at home, and the last time it happened was nearly four decades ago. Early wickets could test India’s batting, even though Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rohit Sharma have been among the runs. With clear skies expected, this decider at the ACA-VDCA Stadium promises drama on Saturday afternoon.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul(w/c), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy

South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Ottneil Baartman, Rubin Hermann, Prenelan Subrayen

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called on the Indian team management to define Washington Sundar’s role more clearly, cautioning that without clarity, the young all-rounder could be left “searching for who he is.”

Ashwin insisted that Washington should be treated as a genuine bowling all-rounder and trusted with a full quota of overs to strengthen both his bowling rhythm and batting confidence. So far in the ODI series against South Africa, the 26-year-old has bowled only seven overs across the first two matches and is yet to claim a wicket.

"Once you have decided to play Washington Sundar, you've to treat him as a bowler who can bat. You've to bowl out his overs," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

He added, "Only if he keeps bowling, he'll have the mindset of a bowler who can bat. Otherwise, if he just bats and bowls a few overs, he'll keep searching for who he is. So don't leave him in the searching space. Instead, the team should arrive at giving him the proper role clarity."

India were unable to defend 358 in the second ODI, allowing South Africa to level the three-match series with a four-wicket win, after the hosts had narrowly escaped with victory in the first game despite scoring 348.

Ashwin also questioned India’s finishing options with Hardik Pandya unavailable, wondering whether an alternative with similar firepower should have been considered.

"India also didn't finish well with the bat in both ODIs. Especially when you don't have a finisher like Hardik Pandya, why didn't a similarly powerful Nitish Kumar Reddy play?" he asked.

Ashwin suggested Nitish Kumar Reddy could have been included in place of Washington.

"I am not sure if they are looking at Rishabh Pant as a finisher or not. India are not able to provide that finishing punch. So should an extra fast-bowling all-rounder play instead of a spinning allrounder?" he concluded.

Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar lauded Rohit Sharma, crediting his attacking mindset for transforming the ODI style of play. With the three-match ODI series against South Africa currently level at 1-1, India will be eyeing a series-clinching win in the third and final match in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Reflecting on Rohit’s development as an ODI batter, Nayar said, "Rohit Sharma has transitioned well in ODIs. From starting lower down the order, early on in his career to becoming a secure opener. This is where he truly evolved, changing how India plays white-ball cricket by adopting an aggressive approach focused on hitting sixes rather than just accumulating runs. His leadership by example, playing without worrying about centuries, has raised team standards." Nayar shared his thoughts with JioStar.

Rohit has had a mixed run so far in the series, scoring 71 runs at an average of 35.50 and a strike rate of 120.34 in two innings. He opened the series with a fluent 57 off 51 balls in Ranchi, hitting three sixes and five fours before being trapped leg-before by Marco Jansen. In the second ODI at Raipur, he managed 14 off eight deliveries before Nandre Burger dismissed him caught behind, having struck three boundaries.

Explaining Rohit’s approach against the swinging ball, Nayar added, "Rohit Sharma hasn't stepped out to hit big shots mainly due to swinging conditions in this series. When he feels the ball isn't swinging much, he confidently takes on bowlers. He's been careful with his footwork because of uncertain pitch bounce. But in familiar Vizag conditions, we'll likely see his aggressive stepping-out game return."

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been in sublime touch, scoring 135 and 102 in the first two ODIs.

Speaking on Kohli’s precision and execution, Nayar said, "One of the greatest things Virat Kohli has done this series against South Africa is how he hits the ball at the key moments. His greatness is in how straight his bat path comes down to impact the ball. We didn't see that a lot before. The bat used to open up. But here, every single time you see him hit the ball, his head is right over it. That happens very regularly. He brings the bat down in line with the ball, even when it is angling away. He manages to play it straight all the time. That is his greatness and a main reason he has been so successful."

Nayar further highlighted Kohli’s technical evolution, saying, "Virat has changed his batting a lot since the Australia tour, mainly in his tactics. If you see his last two ODI innings against South Africa, every single shot comes from a different guard. He’s been on leg stump, on middle stump and on off stump as well. He’s made those changes so he can adapt to every length. He’s used his feet, been deep in the crease, and been outside the crease. His brain has worked like an AI computer, trying to figure everything out. Also, the conditions have helped the style of cricket Virat wants to play."

The final ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam — a venue where Virat Kohli has historically thrived. The Indian batting icon will enter the decider with the chance to complete a hat-trick of centuries in the series.

With the series tied 1-1, Kohli has already amassed 237 runs in two matches — a blistering 135 off 120 balls in Ranchi followed by a measured 102 off 93 balls in Raipur — and will be eyeing another hundred in Vizag.

If he does so, Kohli will become the first Indian batter to register two separate hat-tricks of ODI centuries, and only the second overall after Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Kohli first achieved the feat in 2018 against West Indies, scoring 140, 157* and 107 in the opening three ODIs of that series. He finished as ‘Player of the Series’ then, with 453 runs in five innings at an average of 151 and a strike rate of nearly 113.

Visakhapatnam has been Kohli’s most productive ODI venue in India. He has scored 587 runs in seven innings here at an average of 97.83 and a strike rate of 100.34, including three centuries, two fifties, and a career-best 157*. One of the earliest highlights of his career also came here in 2010, when a 21-year-old Kohli scored a decisive 118 off 121 balls to script a successful chase of 290 against Australia after India slipped to 35/2.

Kohli also stands on the brink of another milestone. He needs just 90 more runs to become the third batter in history to reach 28,000 international runs — joining Sachin Tendulkar (34,357) and Kumar Sangakkara (28,016). So far, Kohli has accumulated 27,910 runs in 555 international matches at an average of 52.46, including 84 centuries and 144 half-centuries, with a top score of 254*.

In ODIs this year, Kohli has scored 586 runs in 12 innings at an average of 58.60 and a strike rate of 92.72, including three centuries and three fifties — with a best of 135.

South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke said he expects India to come at them hard in the series-deciding third ODI here, but believes their balanced batting line-up gives them confidence to handle the challenge.

With the three-match series tied at 1-1, India must win on Saturday to avoid a second straight series defeat to the Proteas, following a 0-2 loss in the Test series.

"We're going to have to play good cricket against a really good side. We know that they're going to be really hungry to win. It's a must-win game, so it's going to be a really good contest," Breetzke said on the eve of the match.

The 27-year-old said he was encouraged by the fight shown by the middle and lower order in the previous two games, calling the depth a major strength. For him, having all-rounders like Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch adds significant value.

"We've got a nice balance in our side with a couple of guys who are proper batters, and then you've got powerhouses like (Dewald) Brevis, (Marco) Jansen and Corbin (Bosch) that can change the game on its head.

"So I think we complement each other really well, and there's a lot of confidence in the batting group at the moment. We will have to do it again tomorrow."

Breetzke added that knowing there are big hitters down the order allows the top order to play with more freedom.

"It gives you confidence as top order batters, knowing that you have Jansen and Bosh at the bottom. I think we've seen Bosh in the last two matches play some really special innings.

"The top four it gives you a lot of confidence. You can take a little bit more time, because you know you've got that explosive power at the back end," he said.

He also credited the recent Pakistan tour for helping him settle into his evolving role at No. 4.

"Yeah, a little bit. I think obviously the conditions were a lot different in Pakistan, but obviously I'm just getting more experience now batting at 4, where I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable. Hopefully I'll get better," he added.

South Africa chased successfully in both Ranchi and Raipur, with dew making batting easier and India’s bowlers struggle to grip the ball. Breetzke said the team has discussed plans in case they are required to bat first this time.

"We have seen that the dew has played a big part (in the first two matches), obviously, in our advantage, batting second, it's been really nice to bat.

"If we have to bat first, I'm sure we'll chat about it after a couple of meetings after this conference and see what the best way to go about it. But yeah, the dew has definitely played a big part," he said.

Meanwhile, South Africa team manager confirmed that pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi underwent scans earlier in the day after picking up injuries in Raipur.

"Pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony De Zorzi have gone for scans after limping off during the 2nd ODI in Raipur. Their continued availability will be decided depending on the results," the manager said.

Ahead of the final ODI against South Africa, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed how the team is preparing to counter the dew factor — a key reason behind the Proteas' successful chase of 359 in Raipur. He also admitted that after suffering a Test whitewash at home for the second consecutive year against the same opposition, there is a "slight desperation" within the group to secure the ODI series.

With the series tied 1-1, both India and South Africa — boasting power-packed batting line-ups — are gearing up for a high-stakes decider on Saturday in Visakhapatnam. Despite India putting up totals exceeding 340 in both games, neither has proved safe against South Africa’s aggressive approach. While the visitors fell 17 runs short in the opener, they stormed back with a successful record chase in the second match, aided significantly by heavy dew that hampered India’s bowlers and made batting considerably easier.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, quoted by ESPNcricinfo, Doeschate said, "The dew factor is, we are actually trying to put a number on it, and it varies between 10 and 20 per cent [in terms of] what a big difference it makes [to the result]."

"At the start of the first game, we thought 320 sort of par, and then we put a premium at 350, and we thought that the game in Raipur was the same. We thought 360, even given the dew coming, it was a good effort to get that score. You always want more runs, and again, the conversations have been around how we can maximise. What we said about guys starting in slightly later on, what are the better options, we just had a good chat around that," he added.

Doeschate confirmed that the preparation goes beyond strategy meetings, with the bowling unit actively training under simulated dew conditions.

"We are doing all the practical prep stuff, guys bowling with wet balls. Again, you know, like setting up our store to get a premium score, figuring out how to defend, what is best to bowl with the wet ball when there is dew on the grass," he said.

When asked if bringing forward the start time could reduce dew impact, he responded, "I think it is, you know, the fact that the dew kind of falls as the second inning starts, it means the dew is there for the whole time. So a different start time could bring that effect down a little bit if you started two hours early. That is a solution, but obviously, there are so many moving parts at play in terms of broadcasting. So it is a futile conversation."

Finally, on whether the Test series defeat adds extra pressure, Doeschate clarified that while personnel have changed, expectations haven't.

"It is a very different personnel of players, but the guys are very aware of the responsibility of what they are representing. We always want to win, but certainly when a few losses do start stacking up, and performances are below what we expect from ourselves. I think there is a desperation to win the series tomorrow."

South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke said he is gradually becoming more comfortable batting at No. 4. The Proteas youngster shared his thoughts ahead of the third and final ODI against India.

Breetzke has been pushed down the order with senior players Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and captain Temba Bavuma occupying the top three spots in ODIs.

The right-hander scored a crucial half-century in South Africa’s historic chase of 359 in the second ODI, playing a key role alongside Markram’s century as the visitors levelled the series 1-1.

"Obviously, I'm just getting more experience now batting at four, which I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable in the role. So that helps, and I think the more I play at number four and in this role, hopefully the better I'll get," Breetzke told ESPNcricinfo.

Breetzke has now accumulated 449 runs from nine innings at No. 4, averaging 56.12 with five half-centuries and a strike rate of nearly 95.

Reflecting on adapting to match situations, he spoke about the contrasting demands of the first and second ODIs.

"Obviously, the first game there was a little bit of trouble that we were in, so I had to sort of build the innings and then in the second game it was about just managing the guys that were coming in," he said.

"We lost obviously Aiden [after his century] and then I had to sort of manage [Dewald] Brevis there and then just managing those guys and letting them bat around me, they've got the explosive power - it was just about really looking to build a partnership with them," he added.

Breetzke also praised the squad’s batting depth and the balance within the lineup as the Proteas prepare for the decider.

"I think we've got a nice balance in our side with a couple of guys that are just proper batters, and then you've got powerhouses like Brevis and [Marco] Jansen that can sort of change the game on its head."

"We've seen [Corbin] Bosch in the last two matches play some really special innings, I think as the top four, it gives you a lot of confidence; you can take a little bit more time because, you know, they've got that explosive power at the back end. So for us, it's just about setting that platform up for them to come in at the end and do their thing. There's a lot of confidence in the batting group at the moment, but we will have to do it again tomorrow," Breetzke concluded.

The ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch often favours batters, and India have a strong record here — seven wins in 10 ODIs since 2005, despite a recent defeat to Australia.

India will also weigh whether to rest Washington Sundar and bring in Tilak Varma to strengthen the middle order, which struggled to accelerate in the final stages of the last two matches.

Rishabh Pant is another option, but Tilak offers the dual advantage of being a utility spinner and a sharp fielder.

KL Rahul’s breezy fifties helped India post a par score, but dew played a part in South Africa nearly chasing it down in Ranchi and surpassing it in Raipur.

In this coastal city, humidity could influence conditions under lights, despite a recent dip in temperature due to cyclonic weather. A training session on Friday night should help India gauge conditions and finalize the combination.

Meanwhile, India will hope young pacers Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana tighten their performances to support the impressive Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa will be aiming for a second ODI series win over India on Indian soil, after their 2-1 series loss in 2022-23. A victory here would mark their first-ever ODI series triumph in India.

However, fitness will be a concern. Pacers Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi both had to leave the field in Raipur and their availability will be closely monitored.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of 3rd ODI match between India and South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

The spotlight, as always, will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but the pressure will also be on India’s younger players as the hosts aim to avoid another embarrassing series loss to South Africa in the must-win third and final ODI on Saturday.

A repeat of the Raipur-like collapse would hand South Africa the ODI series as well, coming on the heels of their 2-0 Test series triumph.

Consecutive series defeats are unthinkable for India in the current scenario, especially with reports of a dressing room pulling in different directions.

A win in this rubber could silence the chatter around the team, and for that, Kohli and Rohit will once again need to shoulder the responsibility.

Both have long been masters of the 50-over format and are no strangers to high-pressure situations. Their legacy is built on overcoming challenges — an exhilarating journey spanning the last decade and a half.

Now, standing at a pivotal juncture, Kohli and Rohit will be eager to add another glorious chapter to their storied careers. And it’s not mere ambition.

Kohli has two hundreds and a fifty in his last three innings, while Rohit has a hundred and two fifties in his last four outings. These numbers highlight their touch, class, and hunger even in their late 30s, signaling that they can still rescue the team.

Yet, meaningful contributions from the younger batters will be crucial. Ruturaj Gaikwad provided that support in the last match with his maiden ODI hundred.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, is still searching for form as an opener in this series. The talented youngster will be keen to convert his starts into big scores for both his and the team’s sake.

A glaring weakness remains in his batting against left-arm pacers, whether it’s Jayden Seales of the West Indies or Marco Jansen and Nandre Burger in this series.

Jaiswal has been dismissed 30 times by left-armers in his career (9 in Tests, 19 in T20Is, and 2 in ODIs), often while attempting a cut or its variations — a staple in his repertoire outside off-stump.

The team management and Jaiswal cannot ignore this pattern, and work to address it is likely underway. If the vulnerability persists, the selectors may consider alternatives, with Gaikwad already proving himself a reliable opener.