India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI:
The exhilarating finale of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa took place on Saturday (December 6) at Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. India achieved a resounding victory by 9 wickets, chasing the target of 271 runs in just 39.5 overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was pivotal to India's victory, scoring an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. This marked Jaiswal's maiden century in ODIs. Both Virat Kohli (unbeaten on 65) and Rohit Sharma (scoring 75) made significant contributions with the bat.
With this triumph, India won the three-match ODI series against South Africa by 2-1. In the series opener in Ranchi, India secured a 17-run victory. South Africa bounced back in Raipur, winning by four wickets.
India's Innings Unfolded
From the start, India's run chase was superb. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put together a solid partnership for the first wicket, amassing 155 runs. During this partnership, Rohit Sharma reached his fifty in 54 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six. Jaiswal also completed his half-century from 75 deliveries, including three fours and a six.
India's first wicket fell when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rohit Sharma, who was caught by Matthew Breitz. Rohit made 75 runs from 73 balls, featuring 7 fours and three sixes. After Rohit's departure, Jaiswal and Virat formed a formidable partnership to seal the win for India. Jaiswal achieved his century in 111 balls with 10 fours and a six, while Kohli notched up his fifty in 45 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes.
Quinton de Kock's Century for South Africa
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, South Africa posted 270 runs in 47.5 overs. Their start wasn't ideal, losing Ryan Rickelton at just 1 run, caught by KL Rahul off Arshdeep Singh. Rickelton couldn't score. Then, Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma stabilized the innings with a 112-run partnership. Bavuma scored 48, punctuated by five fours, before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him.
After Bavuma's dismissal, Matthew Breitzke and Quinton de Kock added 54 runs for the third wicket. Prasidh Krishna struck twice in the same over, sending Breitzke (24 runs) and Aiden Markram (1 run) back to the pavilion. Despite the quick wickets, de Kock maintained his aggressive stance, reaching his century in 80 balls with eight fours and six sixes. This was de Kock's 23rd ODI century and seventh against India.
Quinton de Kock was eventually claimed by Prasidh Krishna, scoring 106 from 89 balls, featuring eight fours and six sixes. Subsequently, Kuldeep Yadav showcased his spin magic, removing Dewald Brevis (29 runs) and Marco Jansen (17 runs) in one over, followed by the wickets of Corbin Bosch (9 runs) and Lungi Ngidi (1 run). South Africa's innings concluded with Prasidh Krishna dismissing Otniel Barthman (3 runs), leaving Keshav Maharaj unbeaten on 20. Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav, both took four wickets each.
India made a tactical change, bringing in Tilak Varma in place of Washington Sundar. In contrast, South Africa made two modifications due to injuries, bringing Otniel Barthman and Ryan Rickelton in for Nadgde Burger and Tony de Zorzi.
India's Playing XI in the 3rd ODI:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper/captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa's Playing XI in the 3rd ODI:
Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breitzke, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, and Otniel Barthman.
Head to Head Record
Total ODI Matches: 97 India Wins: 42 South Africa Wins: 52 No Result: 3
