India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025: India Win Series 2-1 with Dominant 9-Wicket Victory in Vizag

When the lights came on at the ACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 6, 2025, fans knew this would be more than just another match — it would decide the fate of the series between India cricket team and South Africa cricket team. With the series locked at 1–1, nerves, tension and expectations were high. What followed was a display of calm, class and ruthless efficiency from India — an innings that combined youthful firepower, seasoned mastery and disciplined bowling. In short, a textbook performance that summed up why India remains among the elite in world cricket.

This blog post dives deep into every nuance of the match, from South Africa’s fight to India’s chase — with a special focus on the stars, the turning points and what this win means for the future.

Match Summary & Scorecard


Match	3rd ODI, India vs South Africa	6 December 2025, Visakhapatnam
Toss	India won the toss (first toss win in 21 ODIs) & opted to field.
South Africa 1st Innings	270 all out in 47.5 overs
India 2nd Innings (Chase)	271/1 in 39.5 overs (won by 9 wickets with 61 balls remaining)
Series Result	India won the series 2–1

South Africa’s Innings: Fight & Fightback Before Collapse

South Africa, batting first, looked to set a challenging total — and for a while, they did exactly that.

Quinton de Kock held the innings together with a majestic 106 off 89 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes), anchoring the middle overs and giving South Africa a solid platform.
Temba Bavuma contributed a steady 48, adding depth and respectability to the total.

However, cracks began to appear once the top partnership was broken. Wickets fell at regular intervals — a pattern of middle-order collapse that exposed the lower-middle order. By the time it was over, South Africa had lost all 10 wickets for 270, setting India a chaseable but tricky target under lights.

Best Bowling for India (1st Innings)

Prasidh Krishna — 4/66
Kuldeep Yadav — 4/41

Their twin four-wicket hauls dismantled the backbone of South Africa’s batting and made the target look far more manageable than it could have been.

India’s Chase: Calm, Composed, Crushing

Chasing 271 under lights, India approached with clarity and confidence. The result, a dominant 9-wicket win — and with more than 10 overs to spare.

Major Batting Contributions

Yashasvi Jaiswal — an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes), his maiden ODI hundred. The kind of innings that show not just talent, but temperament and maturity.
Rohit Sharma — 75 off 73 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes), a fluent knock that set the tone and removed any early pressure.
Virat Kohli — finished off the chase with a classy 65* off 45 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes). As dependable as ever, especially in successful run chases.

India sealed the win without breaking a sweat — testament to the balance between youth and experience, aggression and control.

Standout Performers & Awards

Man of the Match: Yashasvi Jaiswal — for his brilliant maiden ODI century at a crucial moment in the series-decider.
Bowling Heroes: Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav — their four-wicket hauls turned the match.
Series Summary: With this victory, India clinched the three-match ODI series 2–1.

Why This Win Matters: Critical Analysis

For a cricket lover and critic, this match had layers:

Balance of squad: A combination of experienced heads (Rohit, Kohli), and bold young blood (Jaiswal) — sending a strong message that India’s bench strength is deep.
Bowling under pressure: The ability of the Indian bowlers to pick wickets at regular intervals kept the South African total in check — showing discipline and tactical awareness.
Chasing temperament: In India’s home conditions, chasing under lights — with dew and expectations — can be tricky. But the way Indian batsmen paced the chase showed calmness and maturity.
Depth & flexibility: The toss decision to field first (after a long losing streak in tosses) was bold. And it paid off, showing that the team management is willing to trust data and conditions over tradition.

In short: this was not just a win — it was a statement. A message that in every dimension — batting, bowling, strategy — India remains formidable.

What’s Next? Eyes on the Upcoming T20 Series vs South Africa

With the ODIs in the bag, both teams will shift focus to the upcoming T20 series.

For India, this is a golden opportunity to test their depth further: perhaps give a look to some new faces — especially as Jaiswal’s rise adds to their batting arsenal. For South Africa, it will be a test of resilience — bouncing back from a tough loss and re-aligning towards the shorter format will require composure and strategic adjustment.

If the ODIs were any indication, fans can expect intense battles: bat vs ball, youth vs experience and of course — high drama under lights.

Conclusion

The 3rd ODI at Vizag will be remembered not just for the numbers — 271/1 in 39.5 overs — but for the attitude, hunger and elegance with which India played. The victory was comprehensive, indeed ruthless: a perfect blend of calculated aggression and disciplined execution.

For Yashasvi Jaiswal, it’s a chapter-defining night. For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, it’s another reminder of their knack for delivering when it matters most. For the bowlers, it’s proof that rhythm, skill and perseverance win matches.

Most importantly — for fans, for cricket purists — this was a reaffirmation: when India brings together experience, youth and balance, they remain a force to be reckoned with.

As the T20 series looms, one thing is clear, this win doesn’t just end a contest — it sets a tone. And if this innings is any preview, cricket lovers are in for a treat.

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Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
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