The stage is set for a pulsating finale! The series is tied, the run-rates are astronomical, and the pressure is immense. The IND vs SA 3rd ODI is not just a cricket match; it’s a winner-takes-all showdown that promises explosive action. After two high-scoring thrillers in Ranchi and Raipur, the Indian cricket team and the South African Proteas head to the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam for the decisive match on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The series stands level at 1-1, thanks to two dominant batting performances from both sides. India clinched the first ODI by 17 runs despite South Africa’s strong chase of 350. The visitors, however, made a massive statement in the second game, successfully hunting down India’s record-setting 358 with four wickets to spare. The narrative is clear: bowling under lights has been the Achilles’ heel for both teams, making the toss a potentially series-defining moment.
Tournament Context and Teams Playing
The IND vs SA 3rd ODI is the final game of the three-match One Day International series, which is part of South Africa’s ongoing tour of India in 2025-26. The series is currently locked at 1-1, elevating the final match to a thrilling decider.
- India (IND): Led by KL Rahul (in the absence of injured Shubman Gill), India’s batting has been phenomenal, posting scores of 349 and 358. The main concern for the hosts is the bowling attack, particularly in the later stages when the dew factor comes into play. Changes are likely in the playing XI, with reports suggesting that Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma may replace Washington Sundar to strengthen the batting depth, while Nitish Kumar Reddy could come in for the expensive Prasidh Krishna to offer more control.
- India’s Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (C & WK), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
- South Africa (SA): Captained by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas have showcased incredible resilience and batting depth, culminating in a record-equalling chase in the second ODI. They have found a new centurion in Aiden Markram and explosive power from Dewald Brevis and Corbin Bosch. South Africa also faces potential lineup changes due to hamstring injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger. Ottneil Baartman and Rubin Hermann are the likely replacements.
- South Africa’s Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
Head-to-Head Records: Ind vs SA 3rd ODI
In the history of One Day Internationals, the head-to-head record between India and South Africa slightly favors the Proteas, making this contest a genuine rivalry.
| Statistics | India (IND) | South Africa (SA) |
| Total ODIs Played | 96 | 96 |
| Matches Won | 41 | 52 |
| No Result/Tied | 3 | 3 |
| Last 5 Matches | 3 Wins | 2 Wins |
| At ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag | 0 | 0 |
🏏 Ind vs SA 3rd ODI: Series Decider Promises Epic Battle of Batting Firepower
The stage is set for a pulsating finale! The series is tied, the run-rates are astronomical, and the pressure is immense. The Ind vs SA 3rd ODI is not just a cricket match; it’s a winner-takes-all showdown that promises explosive action. After two high-scoring thrillers in Ranchi and Raipur, the Indian cricket team and the South African Proteas head to the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam for the decisive match on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The series stands level at 1-1, thanks to two dominant batting performances from both sides. India clinched the first ODI by 17 runs despite South Africa’s strong chase of 350. The visitors, however, made a massive statement in the second game, successfully hunting down India’s record-setting 358 with four wickets to spare. The narrative is clear: bowling under lights has been the Achilles’ heel for both teams, making the toss a potentially series-defining moment.
🆚 Tournament Context and Teams Playing
The Ind vs SA 3rd ODI is the final game of the three-match One Day International series, which is part of South Africa’s ongoing tour of India in 2025-26. The series is currently locked at 1-1, elevating the final match to a thrilling decider.
- India (IND): Led by KL Rahul (in the absence of injured Shubman Gill), India’s batting has been phenomenal, posting scores of 349 and 358. The main concern for the hosts is the bowling attack, particularly in the later stages when the dew factor comes into play. Changes are likely in the playing XI, with reports suggesting that Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma may replace Washington Sundar to strengthen the batting depth, while Nitish Kumar Reddy could come in for the expensive Prasidh Krishna to offer more control.
- India’s Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (C & WK), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
- South Africa (SA): Captained by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas have showcased incredible resilience and batting depth, culminating in a record-equalling chase in the second ODI. They have found a new centurion in Aiden Markram and explosive power from Dewald Brevis and Corbin Bosch. South Africa also faces potential lineup changes due to hamstring injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger. Ottneil Baartman and Rubin Hermann are the likely replacements.
- South Africa’s Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
📊 Head-to-Head Records: Ind vs SA 3rd ODI
In the history of One Day Internationals, the head-to-head record between India and South Africa slightly favors the Proteas, making this contest a genuine rivalry.
| Statistics | India (IND) | South Africa (SA) |
| Total ODIs Played | 96 | 96 |
| Matches Won | 41 | 52 |
| No Result/Tied | 3 | 3 |
| Last 5 Matches | 3 Wins | 2 Wins |
| At ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag | 0 | 0 |
South Africa holds the historical edge, but India has dominated the recent matchups, winning three of the last five. The fact that the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium has never hosted an ODI between these two giants adds a layer of unpredictable excitement to the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI series decider.
Key Players to Watch in the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI
India: The Run Machines and the Wrist-Spinner
- Virat Kohli (Batsman): In sensational form, Kohli has powered to back-to-back centuries (135 and 102) in the first two matches. He has been the anchor of the Indian innings, setting up massive totals. Visakhapatnam is historically a ‘happy hunting ground’ for Kohli, where he averages an incredible 97.83 in ODIs with three centuries. His ability to manage the pressure of a decider will be vital.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Batsman): After struggling for form in recent series, Gaikwad’s maiden ODI century in the last match—a fluent 105—showed his class and cemented his spot at number four. His stability will be crucial in supporting the top order.
- Kuldeep Yadav (Bowler): The most reliable Indian bowler in the series, Kuldeep’s knack for picking up timely wickets in the middle overs, even when the ball is affected by dew, makes him India’s primary wicket-taking threat. His control and variations could prove the difference on a batting-friendly pitch.
South Africa: The New Anchors and the All-Round Threat
- Aiden Markram (All-Rounder/Batsman): Stepping up as an anchor, Markram’s match-winning century (110) in the second ODI showcased his leadership and composure under a massive chase. His part-time spin also gives Bavuma a vital option.
- Dewald Brevis (Batsman): The young sensation is in a purple patch, with his explosive striking ability (54 off 34 balls in the last match) providing crucial acceleration in the middle overs. If he gets going, the match can quickly tilt in South Africa’s favour.
- Marco Jansen (All-Rounder): The towering pacer offers a complete package. He consistently delivers breakthroughs with his bounce and can hit long boundaries at the death, giving South Africa invaluable balance and depth in both departments.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
The venue for the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI, Visakhapatnam, is notoriously a batter’s paradise.
- Pitch Report: The ACA-VDCA stadium surface is known to be flat and conducive to high-scoring affairs. The smaller boundaries further favour the batsmen. The trend in recent matches at this venue strongly favours the chasing team, who have won all five of the most recent ODIs played here. This suggests that a target of 350 may no longer be ‘safe.’
- Dew Factor: The dew has played a significant and deciding role in the first two day-night games of the series, heavily favoring the team batting second. The bowling side has struggled immensely to grip the ball and maintain control as the evening progresses, a factor that will almost certainly influence the captain’s decision at the toss.
- Weather Forecast: The forecast for Saturday, December 6, is for clear skies and hot, humid conditions during the day. However, a full, uninterrupted day-night fixture is expected, with no chance of rain. The key will be the drop in temperature and increased humidity in the evening, leading to heavy dew.
Who Will Win the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI?
Given the results so far, the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI is almost impossible to call, making it a true decider. The key factor is highly likely to be the toss.
The overwhelming evidence from the first two matches, coupled with the local trend in Visakhapatnam, suggests the toss-winning captain will elect to field first. The dew factor makes bowling second extremely difficult, rendering high totals chaseable.
- If India bowls first: They face a daunting task of containing the in-form South African batting lineup. Their success will depend entirely on their ability to manage the dew, primarily through the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav and the death-overs expertise of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
- If South Africa bowls first: Their task is simpler—limit India to under 370 and then rely on the dew-assisted chase. The Proteas have superior batting depth and a power-packed middle-order built for big chases.
Considering all variables, the advantage currently lies with the chasing team. South Africa’s performance in the last game—chasing the joint-highest target against India—shows they have mastered the art of batting under lights with the dew. India, despite their stellar batting, appears to have the more vulnerable bowling attack when conditions turn against them.
The Proteas, high on confidence from their record chase, are better equipped to handle the pressure of the chase in a dew-affected match. They are narrowly tipped to secure the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI and take the series trophy home.
Global Start Times for Ind vs SA 3rd ODI
| Region | Time Zone (Standard) | Corrected Start Time (Local) | Day |
| India | IST (UTC+5:30) | 1:30 PM | Saturday, Dec 6 |
| United Kingdom | GMT (UTC+0) | 8:00 AM | Saturday, Dec 6 |
| United States (Eastern) | EST (UTC-5) | 3:00 AM | Saturday, Dec 6 |
| United States (Pacific) | PST (UTC-8) | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Saturday, Dec 6 |
| Australia (Sydney/Melbourne) | AEDT (UTC+11) | 7:00 PM | Saturday, Dec 6 |
| Australia (Perth) | AWST (UTC+8) | 4:00 PM | Saturday, Dec 6 |
International Streaming Platforms for IND vs SA 3rd ODI
Broadcasting rights vary significantly by country. Here are the key verified platforms for major international markets:
| Region | TV Channel/Platform | Streaming Service |
| United Kingdom (UK) | TNT Sports | Discovery+ (Live streaming of all matches) |
| United States & Canada | Willow TV | Willow TV (Often available through cable providers or as a separate subscription) |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App/Website |
| Australia | Check local sports broadcasters (e.g., Fox Sports, Kayo) | (Information often updates close to the match) |
Read Also: IND vs SA Post Match Analysis 2nd ODI
