Hey cricket fans! If you’re anything like us here at IPL Star, you’ve been glued to your screens for every ball of this pulsating South Africa tour of India 2025. The ODI leg? Pure fire. After a heartbreaking 2-0 Test series whitewash, India bounced back like champions in the whites. The first two ODIs were nail-biters—India edged the opener by 17 runs in Ranchi, only for South Africa to snatch the second by 4 wickets in Raipur, thanks to Aiden Markram’s heroics. Series tied 1-1. Enter the decider: India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 at the sun-kissed ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
What a game! India finally broke their 20-match ODI toss drought (more on that quirky left-hand spin from KL Rahul later), bowled first, and bundled South Africa for 270 despite Quinton de Kock’s gritty 106. Then, the chase? A masterclass. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his maiden ODI hundred (116* off 121), Rohit Sharma blazed 75, and Virat Kohli—oh, King Kohli!—unleashed 65* off 45 with three massive sixes. India romped home by 9 wickets in just 39.5 overs, sealing a 2-1 series triumph. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Jaiswal’s knock joins him to an elite club, Kohli’s form screams 2027 World Cup readiness, and the bowlers? Clinical.
As we wrap up 2025’s international calendar (before the T20Is kick off on December 9), this match had it all: drama, records, and raw emotion. Stick around as we dive deep into the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 recap, highlights, key moments, and full analysis. We’ve got tables for every stat, fan reactions from X (formerly Twitter), and insights to keep you buzzing. Who’s your Player of the Match—Jaiswal’s composure or Kohli’s flair? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe for exclusive IPL Star updates on the upcoming T20Is!
Let’s relive the magic of India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025—one boundary at a time.
Match Details & Toss: The Luck That Changed Everything
Picture this: December 6, 2025, 1:30 PM local time at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The air was thick with anticipation. Capacity? A buzzing 28,000 fans under the Vizzy End and DV Subba Rao End. Hosted by Andhra Cricket Association, this venue has seen its share of thrillers—remember Kohli’s 157* here? But today? It was destiny’s stage.
Umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sam Nogajski called the shots, with Rod Tucker on third umpire duty and Richie Richardson as referee. Broadcast? Catch the action on Star Sports Network or stream live on JioHotstar—perfect for us IPL Star readers chasing every update.
The toss? Oh, the toss. India had lost 20 straight ODIs flips—a streak dating back to the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Captain KL Rahul, ever the innovator, spun the coin with his left hand. Boom—heads! India won! Opting to bowl first was a no-brainer. Dew had haunted the first two games, making second-innings chases a cakewalk. Here, with a drier pitch and later dew, it flipped the script. As Rahul quipped post-match: “The team hasn’t smiled at me like that since… well, ever. It was crucial.”
Here’s a quick snapshot of the series toss woes:
| Match | Toss Winner | Decision | Outcome Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI (Ranchi) | South Africa | Bat | SA posted 332, but IND defended 349 |
| 2nd ODI (Raipur) | South Africa | Bat | SA chased 359 after IND’s 358 |
| 3rd ODI (Vizag) | India | Bowl | IND restricted SA to 270, chased easy |
This win wasn’t luck—it was karma. Early moisture gripped the ball, letting Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana weave magic. Three maidens in the first eight overs? That’s pressure. South Africa, missing injured Tony de Zorzi (Ryan Rickelton in), shuffled Aiden Markram to No. 5 post his Raipur ton. Bold, but backfired. India subbed Washington Sundar for Tilak Varma—middle-order muscle over all-round utility.
Fan buzz on X exploded: One post from @nagsiva shared full highlights, racking up views as fans relived the toss joy. As ESPNcricinfo noted, “The toss equalized a series where conditions varied wildly.” For India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025, it was the spark that lit the fire.
South Africa Innings: De Kock’s Fireworks to Middle-Order Meltdown
South Africa’s innings started like a dream—or nightmare, depending on your blue jersey count. Arshdeep Singh struck gold in over 0.5: Ryan Rickelton edged to KL Rahul for a golden duck. Two ducks in the series for the reserve opener? Ouch. Score: 1/1. Enter Quinton de Kock and skipper Temba Bavuma. They rebuilt with grit, but India’s seamers—Arshdeep (8-1-36-1) and Rana (8-2-44-0)—kept it tight. Two maidens from Rana? Vintage stuff.
By over 10, SA crawled to 42/1 in the Powerplay. De Kock, though? Electric. He unleashed on Prasidh Krishna’s intro spell: three sixes, a four—27 off two overs. Ouch for Prasidh, already under scrutiny after economy leaks in the series. De Kock’s fifty flew off 42 balls, his aerial extra-cover six a highlight reel special. Bavuma played second fiddle, grinding 48 off 67. Their 113-run stand? Solid, pushing SA to 114/1 by over 21. Run rate? A healthy 5.64.
But Jadeja struck: Bavuma sliced to Kohli at backward point for 48 (114/2, over 20.6). Enter Matthew Breetzke, fresh off two fifties in five ODIs (avg 70+). He and de Kock added 54 in 44 balls, with Breetzke’s two sixes off Tilak Varma’s part-time spin leaking 29 off three overs. SA eyed 350. De Kock’s 100? Off 80 balls—8 fours, 6 sixes. His seventh vs India, most by any batter. As Indian Express captured: “De Kock gets to his HUNDRED in trademark fashion!”
Then, the collapse. Prasidh’s redemption: Back at 158/2 (over 26), he went for 2 in his first over of spell two. Next? Double whammy—Breetzke lbw (plumb, 24 off 23), Markram chipped to Kohli (1 off 3). 170/4 in 28.6 overs. De Kock fell soon, bowled by a half-volley (199/5, over 32.5). Prasidh: 4-0-11-3 in that burst. Game on.
Dewald Brevis (29 off 29) and Marco Jansen (17 off 15) fought back—35 runs in 32 balls—but Kuldeep Yadav? The wizard. Bowling with the dry ball (first time this series, post-34-over rule), he holed out Brevis and Jansen in one over (234/6 and 235/7, over 38). Wide lines, tempting temptations. Kuldeep’s googly trapped Ngidi lbw; Bosch caught-and-bowled. 4-41 for the chinaman. Prasidh sealed with Baartman bowled (4-66 total). SA all out 270 in 47.5—71 runs, 8 wickets in last 15 overs.
Phase-by-phase? Check this:
| Phase | Overs | Runs/Wickets | Run Rate | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay 1 | 0.1-10 | 42/1 | 4.20 | Rickelton duck |
| Middle | 10.1-40 | 202/6 | 5.61 | De Kock 100; Prasidh burst |
| Death | 40.1-47.5 | 26/3 | 3.27 | Kuldeep’s twin strikes |
Fall of wickets table:
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/1 | 0.5 | Rickelton c Rahul b Arshdeep |
| 2 | 114/2 | 20.6 | Bavuma c Kohli b Jadeja |
| 3 | 168/3 | 28.2 | Breetzke lbw b Prasidh |
| 4 | 170/4 | 28.6 | Markram c Kohli b Prasidh |
| 5 | 199/5 | 32.5 | de Kock b Prasidh |
| 6 | 234/6 | 38.1 | Brevis c Rohit b Kuldeep |
| 7 | 235/7 | 38.3 | Jansen c Jadeja b Kuldeep |
| 8 | 252/8 | 42.3 | Bosch c&b Kuldeep |
| 9 | 258/9 | 44.4 | Ngidi lbw b Kuldeep |
| 10 | 270/10 | 47.5 | Baartman b Prasidh |
Bowling cards:
India Bowlers:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 8 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Harshit Rana | 8 | 2 | 44 | 0 | 5.50 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 9.5 | 0 | 66 | 4 | 6.70 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 9 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 5.60 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 10 | 1 | 41 | 4 | 4.10 |
| Tilak Varma | 3 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 9.70 |
Prasidh later reflected: “It was hard after those poor balls, but I focused on stumps—no room, no length to free arms. Cricket gives second chances.” Kuldeep cherished the dry ball: “First time this series—loved the grip.” As Hindustan Times put it, “From 158/2 to meltdown: India’s bowlers scripted the twist.” X fans raved—@JobaajNews live-tweeted: “Prasidh’s double strike! Game changer.” This innings? A tale of peaks (de Kock’s blitz) and plunges (8 wickets for 112 after 158/2). India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 was alive.
India’s Chase: Jaiswal’s Century Sparks Joyride
Chasing 271? On paper, doable. On this pitch? With dew lurking? A test. But Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal? They turned it into a stroll. Powerplay 1: 48/0 off 10 overs. Cautious against Marco Jansen (8-1-39-0) and Lungi Ngidi (6.5-0-56-0). Seven wides from SA early—gifts! Jaiswal nicked off Ngidi for six, Rohit danced down for pulls. By over 11, 50 up.
Rohit ignited: Charged Ngidi for six, chipped Maharaj for four. His fifty? 54 balls—sixth four, one six. Jaiswal? Steady at first (struggles vs Baartman, nearly caught off Maharaj). But Rohit’s boundaries kept the rate humming—100 in over 20. Their 155-run stand? Second-highest opening vs SA (behind Rohit-Dhawan 2013 CT). First century open stand vs Proteas since then. Rohit reached 20,000 int’l runs mid-knock—fourth Indian after Sachin, Kohli, Dravid.
Over 25.5: Rohit holed out to Breetzke off Maharaj (155/1). Enter Kohli. Jaiswal, now fluent, smashed three boundaries off Baartman—150 up. His fifty? Off 75 balls. Kohli? Risk-free singles, then boom—a cover drive off Jansen, pulls off Bosch. Jaiswal’s progression? Epic. From sedate to savage.
The 116-run unbroken stand (84 balls)? Poetry. Kohli’s fifty: 40 balls—four, whip-six off Baartman. Jaiswal’s 100: 111 balls (10 fours, 1 six). Sixth Indian all-format centurion (Raina, Rohit, Rahul, Kohli, Gill). He scooped Baartman for six post-ton. Kohli’s no-look six over midwicket? Viral gold—broke X. As News18 said: “Kohli twists the knife deeper.” 200 up over 33; 250 over 38. Ngidi’s final over? Jaiswal four, Kohli two fours. Done: 271/1 in 39.5.
Ball-by-ball flow? Phase table:
| Phase | Overs | Runs/Wickets | Run Rate | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay 1 | 0.1-10 | 48/0 | 4.80 | Rohit six off Ngidi |
| Middle Chase | 10.1-30 | 150/1 | 6.52 | 155 opening stand |
| Finish | 30.1-39.5 | 73/0 | 7.30 | Jaiswal 100; Kohli 50 |
Partnerships:
| Pair | Runs | Balls | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaiswal-Rohit | 155 | 155 | 6.00 |
| Jaiswal-Kohli | 116* | 84 | 8.28 |
Jaiswal’s splits (25-run bursts):
| Runs | Balls | SR | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-25 | 50 | 50.00 | 1/1 |
| 26-50 | 25 | 100.00 | 2/0 |
| 51-75 | 11 | 227.27 | 5/0 |
| 76-100 | 25 | 100.00 | 2/0 |
| 100-116 | 10 | 160.00 | 2/1 |
Rohit’s boundaries: 7 fours, 3 sixes—trademark pulls. Kohli: 6 fours, 3 sixes (SR 144.44). As Times Now noted: “Jaiswal’s 116* carries India; vintage Kohli seals.” X lit up—@shivabook088: “Jaiswal’s century! Real-time joy.” This chase? Clinical joy. India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? Chased with swagger.
Player Performances & Turning Points
Stars shone bright in India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal? Player of the Match hero. His 116* wasn’t flashy—it was mature. Filling for injured Shubman Gill, he curbed early jitters (SR 50 first 25 runs) for explosive bursts (227 SR next). Post-match: “Burden off my chest. Rohit bhai and I chatted tempo—balance attack with singles. Virat paaji gave targets.” Joins elite: sixth Indian with tons in all formats. Audition passed? Spot cemented over Gaikwad?
Virat Kohli, Player of the Series: 302 runs @151 avg (74*,135,102,65*). Eleventh ODI PoS (tied second with Jayasuriya). Vizag love: 652 runs @108.66 in eight inns—record avg at a venue. Last four: all 50+. “Playing freely unlocks sixes,” he grinned. “Ranchi ton special—post-Aus rust.” His 65*? 12 series sixes—personal best.
Prasidh Krishna: Redemption king. After 8.48 economy, he leaked 27 early but roared back: 4-66, including de Kock’s castle. “Bad spells happen; focused on stumps.” Kuldeep Yadav: 4-41, series top-wicketer (8 total). Dry ball grip? “Cherished it.”
Quinton de Kock: Lone SA warrior. 106 (23rd ODI ton, 7th vs IND). But bowled across-line—costly. Temba Bavuma: 48, missed fifty again. Disappointments? Rickelton’s ducks seal white-ball doubts. Markram to No.5? 1 run—demotion flop.
Turning points table:
| Moment | Over | Impact | Why Crucial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prasidh double | 28 | 168/2 to 170/4 | Ended momentum |
| De Kock wicket | 32.5 | 199/5 | From 350 hope to defendable |
| Kuldeep twin | 38 | 235/7 | Death choke |
| Rohit-Jaiswal 100 | 19.4 | 100/0 | Chase foundation |
| Jaiswal 100 | 36 | 200+ up | Psychological blow |
As Business Standard highlighted: “Jaiswal-Kuldeep shine.” X echo: Fans crowned Jaiswal “future star.” Performances? Game-defining.
Statistical Milestones: Records Shattered in Vizag
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? Stat fest. Kohli’s PoS: 20th overall (most in men’s cricket).
Most PoS Awards (Men’s Int’l):
| Player | Awards |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 20 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 19 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 17 |
| Jacques Kallis | 14 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 13 |
| David Warner | 13 |
ODIs only:
| Player | Awards |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 14 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 11 |
| Virat Kohli | 11 |
| Chris Gayle | 8 |
| Shaun Pollock | 8 |
Sixes galore: 63 in series—tied second-most in 3-match bilateral.
Most Sixes (3-Match Bilateral ODI):
| Series | Sixes |
|---|---|
| IND vs ENG 2021 | 70 |
| WI vs BAN 2024 | 63 |
| IND vs SA 2025 | 63 |
| IND vs NZ 2023 | 58 |
| SA vs ENG 2023 | 58 |
Centuries: 6 in series—tied second.
Most 100s (3-Match Bilateral ODI):
| Series | 100s |
|---|---|
| SA vs ZIM 2010 | 7 |
| ZIM vs NZ 2011 | 6 |
| PAK vs AUS 2022 | 6 |
| IND vs SA 2025 | 6 |
India’s home streak: 10/11 bilateral ODI series wins post-2019 WC. Chase records: Third century stand for first two wickets (all with Kohli). Jaiswal: Sixth all-format ton man. Vizag Kohli:
| Innings | Runs | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 652 | 108.66 | 103.49 |
His streaks: Nine of 4+ consecutive 50s—record. As Cricbuzz crunched: “Kohli’s Vizag dominance unmatched.” X fans: “Jaiswal elite club entry!” Stats? History in making.
Tactical Breakdown: How India Outsmarted the Proteas
Tactics won this. Toss: Bowled first, exploited moisture—Arshdeep/Rana’s three maidens strangled SA. Prasidh’s tweak? Length on stumps post-early leaks. As he said: “No room—worked.” Kuldeep’s dry ball (post-34 rule): Wide temptations holed out batters. Older ball grip? Career first for him.
SA’s aggression? Backfired. De Kock’s cross-line shot; Brevis/Jansen holed out. Middle overs: Intent praiseworthy, but soft dismissals cost 300+. Spin economy comparison:
| Match | IND Spin Econ | SA Spin Econ |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 5.20 | 6.10 |
| 2nd ODI | 6.50 | 5.80 |
| 3rd ODI | 4.70 | 7.20 |
India’s top-order depth (Rohit-Jaiswal 155) vs SA tail (post-de Kock: 164/9). Rahul’s fields: Close catchers for Prasidh. Chase: Measured start (respect swing), then Rohit tempo. Kohli’s risks: Calculated sixes. As ESPNcricinfo analyzed: “Toss equalizer; India’s discipline shone.” SA coach Conrad: “Young batters learn from Kohli-Rohit.” Tactics? Masterstroke.
Key Talking Points & Future Vibes
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 sparked debates. Jaiswal’s audition: After two failures, 116* screams permanence. Over Gaikwad’s Raipur ton? Selectors note. “Sky’s limit once tempo clicks,” Gambhir tweeted.
Prasidh: Villain to hero. From series econ 8.48 to match-winner. “Overcame pressure—simple execution.” Future? Lock in attack.
Rickelton conundrum: Ducks bookend series. De Kock’s return squeezes him—white-ball future? T20 WC reserve? Tough. Markram’s No.5 shuffle? 1 run—natural opener next?
Pant pecking order: Benched again. Tilak preferred—Rahul backup only? Management signal.
Kuldeep vs Varun: Wrist-spin slot? Kuldeep’s 8 wickets say numero uno for 2027 WC. “Extraordinary needed to displace,” per experts.
Kohli at 37: Peak form. 301 @151. “Best in 2-3 years—free mind.” WC blueprint?
As Outlook India pondered: “Jaiswal elite; Kohli timeless.” X: @nagsiva’s highlights vid trended. Vibes? Bright for IND T20Is.
Post-Match Reactions: Smiles, Quotes, and Trophy Lifts
Joy erupted. Rahul lifted trophy, passed to beaming Jaiswal—hoisted high! Team posed; Kohli cracked jokes, Kuldeep-Arshdeep laughed. Bavuma stoic.
Rahul: “Toss smiles priceless. Wickets in bunches—Prasidh’s spell, Kuldeep’s over. Held nerve vs SA intent. Processes paid off.”
Kohli (PoS): “Satisfying series—free mind after 2-3 years. Ranchi unlocked zone. Seniors step up in deciders—aligned to team. Journey of overcoming doubts; batting teaches temperament.”
Jaiswal (PoM): “Blessed. Chatted with Rohit on balance—attack when needed. Virat’s targets helped.”
Bavuma: “Wanted excitement, but short on runs. Smarter middle play needed. Grew vs spin—ticked 6/10 boxes.”
Prasidh: “Sat back, refocused—stumps key. Bowling unit solid.”
As Sportstar captured: “Kohli’s no-look six broke internet.” X: Fans shared trophy pics. Reactions? Pure elation.
Quick Hits on India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025
- Who won India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? India by 9 wickets, series 2-1.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s score? 116*—maiden ODI ton!
- Toss crucial why? Ended 20-loss streak; dew favored bowling first.
- Kuldeep’s figures? 4-41, series top-wicketer.
- Kohli’s series runs? 302 @151—PoS.
- De Kock vs IND tons? 7th.
- Jaiswal all-format club? Yes—sixth Indian.
- Next series? T20Is Dec 9.
- Match venue? Vizag ACA-VDCA.
- Broadcast? JioHotstar/Star Sports.
Series Summary & What’s Next
Series: IND 2-1. 1st: IND 349/8 beat SA 332 by 17 (Kohli 135). 2nd: SA 362/6 chased IND 358/5 by 4 (Markram 110 trumps Kohli 102, Gaikwad 105). 3rd: IND’s demolition. Kohli 302 runs; Kuldeep 8 wkts. SA’s youth grew, but India depth won.
Next: T20Is from Dec 9. Rohit-Kohli back? Jaiswal push? Stay tuned—IPL Star’s got previews. After Test pain, ODI balm.
India vs South Africa 2nd ODI 2025 Recap!
Wrapping the Epic: Why This Win Fuels Dreams
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? A decider for ages. Jaiswal’s poise, Kohli’s fire, bowlers’ bite—pure class. Post-Test blues? Forgotten. This 2-1 series win? Home fort held (10/11 since 2019 WC). Fans, what a ride! Jaiswal’s the future; Kohli, timeless.
CTA: Who’s your hero—Jaiswal’s grit or Kohli’s sixes? Comment below! Subscribe to IPL Star for T20I scoops, exclusive polls, and cricket chats. Share if this recap hit boundaries. Until Dec 9—keep the passion alive! 🏏
India vs South Africa ODI Series 2025 Preview!
FAQs – India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025
Who won India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? India crushed South Africa by 9 wickets with 61 balls to spare in Visakhapatnam on 6 December 2025 and clinched the bilateral ODI series 2–1.
What was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s score in India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his maiden ODI century – an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes) and was named Player of the Match.
How many runs did Virat Kohli score in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 at Vizag? Virat Kohli remained not out on 65 off just 45 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes), hitting the winning runs and earning Player of the Series for his 302 runs across three matches.
Why was the toss so important in India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 India had lost the toss in their previous 20 ODIs. KL Rahul finally won it (using his left hand!), chose to bowl first on a drier pitch, and restricted South Africa to 270 – a total they chased comfortably.
Who took the most wickets for India in the 3rd ODI against South Africa 2025? India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 Both Kuldeep Yadav (4-41) and Prasidh Krishna (4-66) picked up four-fers. Kuldeep ran through the lower middle order with the dry ball, while Prasidh staged a stunning comeback after an expensive start.
How many centuries were scored in the India vs South Africa 2025 ODI series? Six centuries in just three matches – one of the highest in any three-match bilateral ODI series. India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 The list: Kohli 135 & 102, Gaikwad 105, Markram 110, de Kock 106, and Jaiswal 116*.
What is Virat Kohli’s record at Visakhapatnam in ODIs after India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025? India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 Kohli now has 652 runs in 8 ODI innings at Vizag at an astonishing average of 108.66 and strike rate of 103.49 – the highest average by any batter at a single venue (min. 5 innings).
Which Indian batter joined the elite all-format century club in the 3rd ODI vs South Africa 2025? India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 Yashasvi Jaiswal became only the sixth Indian (after Raina, Rohit, Rahul, Kohli, and Gill) to score hundreds in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
How many sixes were hit in the entire India vs South Africa 2025 ODI series? India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 A massive 63 sixes – joint second-highest ever in a three-match bilateral ODI series (behind only IND vs ENG 2021’s 70 sixes).
What’s next after India vs South Africa ODI series 2025? The five-match T20I series begins on 9 December 2025. India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 With the ODI trophy in the bag, all eyes are now on whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return for the shortest format.