India have crushed South Africa by 9 wickets in the series-deciding 3rd ODI in Visakhapatnam, clinching the three-match series 2-1 behind a maiden ODI hundred from Yashasvi Jaiswal and another ice-cool chase anchored by Virat Kohli.
Jaiswal’s Breakthrough Ton Powers Chasing Masterclass
India’s chase of 271 never really looked in doubt once Yashasvi Jaiswal settled in.
The young left-hander, long tipped as one of India’s next white-ball stars, finally converted promise into a maiden ODI century, finishing unbeaten and dominating the South African attack with fearless strokeplay.
At the other end, Virat Kohli did what he has done for more than a decade: absorb pressure, rotate strike, and quietly suffocate the opposition out of the game. He remained unbeaten on 65, steering the chase with clinical calm as India romped home with nine wickets to spare.
It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
A series decider, against a full-strength South African attack, turned into a glorified net session for India’s top order.
How South Africa Went from 350 Dreams to 270 Reality
Earlier, South Africa looked set for something massive. At one stage, they were cruising and “looking set for 350” before completely unraveling to be bowled out for 270 in 47.5 overs.
Key moments in that collapse:
- Quinton de Kock’s century: The veteran opener smashed his way to 106, at one point dismantling Prasidh Krishna.
- Prasidh’s revenge spell: Krishna hit back superbly, dismissing de Kock with a slower ball that crashed through his defenses, part of a haul that saw him finish with four wickets, including the final dismissal of Ottneil Baartman.
- Middle-order meltdown:
- Skipper Temba Bavuma fell for 48, slicing Jadeja to Kohli at backward point.
- In a pivotal over, Kuldeep Yadav removed Dewald Brevis and Marco Jansen in the space of three balls, triggering a freefall from a position of strength.
From 199/4 with de Kock on fire to a scrappy 270 all out, South Africa’s innings summed up their day: promising, then panicked.
KL Rahul Finally Wins a Toss — And Nails the Call
There was a small but telling subplot even before the first ball: KL Rahul finally won an ODI toss after 20 consecutive losses and chose to bowl first.
On a Vizag surface where chasing historically gets easier, that call proved decisive.
India’s bowlers, especially Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Prasidh Krishna, dragged the game back after de Kock’s onslaught. By the final 10 overs, South Africa were just hanging on, not charging towards 300.
That allowed India’s batters to walk out without scoreboard pressure — and they turned the chase into a showcase.
Why This Series Win Matters for India
This wasn’t just another bilateral win. It carried some deeper signals:
- New-gen intent at the top: Jaiswal’s hundred underlined how aggressively India want to approach ODIs going forward, especially in home conditions.
- Kohli’s evolving role: No longer the lone hero, he’s increasingly the anchor-mentor in chases — letting younger players dominate while he controls the tempo.
- Bowling depth stepping up: With Prasidh Krishna taking four and Kuldeep–Jadeja choking the middle overs, India showed they can rebuild a varied attack even as they rotate and rest seniors.
For South Africa, the big takeaway is familiar: they have firepower but lack end-overs composure. From being set for 320–350 to folding for 270 in a decider, the innings exposed recurring issues in finishing and handling pressure.
What’s Next in the SA vs IND Rivalry
This series adds another layer to a modern rivalry that rarely produces boring cricket.
With:
- young stars like Jaiswal and Brevis,
- proven match-winners like de Kock, Bavuma, Kohli,
- and high-stakes deciders that swing dramatically,
India vs South Africa is quietly becoming one of the most watchable matchups in the ODI calendar.
Expect both sides to treat this result as a blueprint: India for how to build around fearless youth plus experienced anchors; South Africa for what must change if they want to close out big games away from home.
Sources
1. India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights: Yashasvi Jaiswal's Ton, Virat Kohli's Unbeaten 65 Guide India To Series-Clinching Win Over SA
2. India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Live - YouTube
3. India Vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights: Jaiswal Hits Maiden ODI Hundred As IND Clinch 9-Wicket Win
