India has secured a commanding 2-1 series victory over South Africa after a spectacular performance in the third and final ODI at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 6, 2025. The hosts chased down South Africa's total of 271 runs in just 39.5 overs, losing only one wicket in the process—a dominant display that showcased India's batting prowess and tactical acumen.
The Match-Winning Performance
Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as the hero of the day, scoring an unbeaten
116 runs in his maiden ODI century, steering India to victory with clinical precision. Opening partner
Rohit Sharma contributed a solid
75 runs before departing, while
Virat Kohli finished the job in style with an unbeaten
65 runs off just 45 balls, including two powerful off-side shots that sealed the series win.
The opening partnership between Jaiswal and Rohit proved to be the foundation of India's success, as they stitched together a commanding
155-run stand that put South Africa on the back foot from the very beginning. Dew conditions, which had favored South Africa in the second ODI, worked in India's favor during the chase, making batting easier as the innings progressed.
South Africa's Collapse
South Africa's batting performance in the first innings proved insufficient despite reaching 258 runs for 8 wickets. The Proteas' middle order crumbled spectacularly in the final overs, with
Kuldeep Yadav orchestrating a devastating spell that removed key batsmen
Dewald Brevis and
Marco Jansen in consecutive deliveries. Kuldeep also claimed the wicket of
Corbin Bosch, effectively dismantling South Africa's hopes of posting a competitive total.
Prasidh Krishna had earlier made crucial breakthroughs with his aggressive bowling, setting the stage for India's dominant chase.
Breaking India's Toss Curse
A significant subplot to India's victory was
KL Rahul's successful toss call, ending India's remarkable streak of
20 consecutive ODI toss losses. Rahul's decision to bowl first proved astute, as he assessed dew conditions during training and made the tactical call that ultimately shaped the match's outcome. This toss victory marked a turning point in the series dynamics.
Series Context
The three-match series had been evenly poised at 1-1 before the final ODI, with both teams delivering high-scoring performances in the earlier matches.
Virat Kohli had been the standout performer throughout the series, scoring centuries in the first two games before contributing a match-winning cameo in the decider. India's comprehensive victory in Visakhapatnam demonstrates their ability to adapt to varying conditions and execute their game plan with precision.
What This Means
India's 2-1 series victory reinforces their status as a formidable ODI force at home, particularly in high-pressure situations. The emergence of Jaiswal as a reliable opening batsman with his maiden ODI century adds depth to India's batting lineup, while the performance of their spin bowlers—particularly Kuldeep Yadav—showcases the team's balanced squad composition. For South Africa, despite a competitive series, the loss highlights the importance of converting strong starts into substantial totals and maintaining consistency across all three formats.
1.
Economic Times - India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Live Score2.
Indian Express - India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score3.
Hindustan Times - India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights4.
NDTV Sports - India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Live Score
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5. INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA 3rd ODI LIVE score | IND vs SA Live ...
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7. India Vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights: Jaiswal Hits ...
