The third and final ODI between India and South Africa took place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the VD Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. With the series level at 1-1, both teams were eager to clinch the trophy in this high-stakes encounter. The match started at 1:30 PM IST and featured thrilling performances from both sides, making it a must-watch for cricket fans worldwide.
Pitch and Weather Report
Visakhapatnam’s pitch has a reputation for supporting both batters and bowlers. In previous matches, the average score hovered around 250, with some assistance for spinners and pacers alike. The weather forecast predicted clear skies, but the presence of dew in the evening could influence the toss and batting order. Teams winning the toss usually preferred chasing, as dew made bowling more challenging in the second innings.
Toss and Team News
India won the toss and elected to bat first. This decision was crucial, as dew could have played a role if the match had gone into the night. Both teams fielded strong lineups, with India’s top order led by openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, while South Africa’s pace attack featured Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
First Innings: India’s Batting Performance
India’s batting lineup showed early promise as Gill and Kishan put on a solid opening stand. However, South African bowlers struck at regular intervals, breaking partnerships and keeping the scoring rate in check. The middle order, led by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, tried to rebuild but lost wickets at crucial moments. Hardik Pandya’s late cameo helped India post a competitive total of 287 for 8 in their 50 overs.
South Africa’s Chase: Key Moments
South Africa’s chase started cautiously, with openers Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock anchoring the innings. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram played aggressive cameos, but regular wickets kept the pressure on. The visitors needed 68 runs off the last 10 overs but lost wickets in clusters. Despite David Miller’s fighting fifty, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, sealed the win with three balls to spare, finishing with a 21-run victory.
Match Highlights and Player of the Match
- Shubman Gill: 78 runs off 92 balls
- Virat Kohli: 52 runs off 68 balls
- David Miller: 56 runs off 45 balls
- Jasprit Bumrah: 3 wickets for 48 runs
- Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning spell, while Virat Kohli’s consistency with the bat stood out.
India vs South Africa LIVE, 3rd ODI: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma lead recovery; SA 42/1 after 10 overs#INDvsSA #INDvSA
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) December 6, 2025
LIVE Scorecard: https://t.co/SjhYZpLE7r
LIVE Updates: https://t.co/fe7ZwHHa4I
Series Result and Standings
India won the series 2-1, bouncing back after losing the first ODI. South Africa, despite a strong comeback in the second match, could not maintain their momentum in the decider. The series win boosts India’s confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC events.
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025: Current Scoreboard
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Key Bowling Figures (South Africa Innings):
- Prasidh Krishna: 4 wickets
- Kuldeep Yadav: 4 wickets
Match Update: India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025
India and South Africa are locked in a tense battle in the 3rd ODI at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. After winning the toss, Indian captain KL Rahul chose to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of the pitch conditions. South Africa started their innings with Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma leading the charge, but early wickets fell to Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna.
Quinton de Kock played a brilliant knock, scoring 101 runs off 81 balls, while Temba Bavuma contributed 26 runs off 42 balls. The middle order saw Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch stabilizing the innings, but India's bowlers kept the pressure on with Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna taking four wickets each.
South Africa finished their innings at 238/7 after 38.3 overs, with India now chasing the target. The match is crucial as the series is tied 1-1, making this the deciding game. Fans can expect a thrilling finish with both teams showing strong performances throughout the match.
