India vs South Africa 2nd ODI Preview – December 3, 2025

Match Details

• Date: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025
• Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
• Start Time: 08:00 AM GMT | 01:30 PM IST
• Series: South Africa Tour of India, 2nd ODI
• Teams: India vs South Africa

Current Form

India

India enters this ODI with a strong momentum following a convincing victory in the first match of the series. The team has been firing on all cylinders, with both batting and bowling performing at a high level. Captain Rohit Sharma has been in sensational form, having amassed over 500 runs in 2025 with a strike rate that speaks volumes of his consistency. Virat Kohli, after a period of mixed results, has found his rhythm again with a recent ODI hundred. The bowling unit, led by Harshit Rana and supported by Arshdeep Singh, has been clinical, with Rana already taking 19 wickets in his last nine ODIs.

South Africa

South Africa showed glimpses of resilience in the first ODI but ultimately fell short. However, their fighting spirit, especially from the middle order led by Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock, and Corbin Bosch, has given them a reason to believe they can take on India in this second encounter. The return of regular captain Temba Bavuma for this match is a positive boost for the Proteas, who are aiming to turn their campaign around. With a blend of aggressive batting and consistent bowling, South Africa will look to exploit the conditions in Raipur to secure a much-needed win.

Players to Watch

India

• Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain has been in red-hot form, scoring over fifty in his last three ODIs and averaging over 50 in 2025.
• Virat Kohli: After a lean patch, Kohli has returned with a 52nd ODI hundred and has scored 484 runs at an average of 53.77 in the series so far.
• Harshit Rana: A rising star in Indian cricket, Rana has taken 19 wickets in his last nine games with a bowling average of 20.89.
• Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab pacer has been a revelation in the death overs, with tight lines and sharp yorkers.

South Africa

• Matthew Breetzke: The left-handed opener has been a revelation, scoring 614 runs in his first ten ODIs with six fifties.
• Quinton de Kock: The wicketkeeper-batsman has been a consistent performer and is expected to anchor the innings with his aggressive yet calculated approach.
• Nandre Burger: A versatile all-rounder, Burger has taken 13 wickets in his last seven matches with an economy of 4.28.
• Corbin Bosch: The all-rounder has added value with the bat and ball, scoring 67 in his last outing and taking crucial wickets.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)

• India: 4 wins
• South Africa: 1 win

India has dominated the series so far, winning the first ODI by a commanding margin. The hosts have a strong record in bilateral ODIs against South Africa, often sealing the deal with large margins.

Venue Insights – Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur

• Average First Innings Score (2015–2025): 108.0
• Winning Percentage when Batting Second: 100%
• Bowling Averages:
  • Fast Bowlers: 17.37
  • Spin Bowlers: 19.25
• Wickets Fall Pattern:
  • Powerplay (1–10): 2 wickets
  • Middle Overs (11–40): 4 wickets
  • Death Overs (41–50): 0 wickets

The pitch in Raipur has a history of assisting bowlers, with the team batting second having a perfect winning record. The middle overs are crucial, and the bowlers will play a big role in shaping the match.

Squads

India

• Captain: Rohit Sharma
• Wicketkeeper: Dhruv Jurel (c), Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul
• Batting Lineup: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rishabh Pant
• Bowling: Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar

South Africa

• Captain: Temba Bavuma
• Wicketkeeper: Quinton de Kock, Rubin Hermann, Ryan Rickelton
• Batting Lineup: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma (c)
• Bowling: Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen

Match Predictions

• Toss Winner: India
• Match Winner: India
• Top Batter: Rohit Sharma (India), Matthew Breetzke (South Africa)
• Top Bowler: Harshit Rana (India), Nandre Burger (South Africa)
• Most Sixes: Rohit Sharma (India), Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
• Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma (India)
• Team Scores (Batting First): India 300+, South Africa 300+

Final Verdict

India has the upper hand in this high-stakes ODI, with a balanced squad and a track that suits their bowling strength. While South Africa will look to capitalize on any lapse in concentration, the hosts are expected to continue their dominance. Rohit Sharma's form will be key for India, while South Africa must rely on their middle-order resurgence and disciplined bowling to pull off an upset.

Prediction: India to win by 6-8 wickets.
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