India, South Africa aim to negate dew threat in quest for series win

Dew has taken centerstage in this series, often proving decisive in day-night ODIs in this region. South Africa nearly pulled off a stunning chase in the first ODI despite early setbacks, and successfully hunted down 359 in the second.

The home side losing the toss repeatedly hasn't helped. With that beyond anyone's control, both teams face the same challenge in this decider. Visakhapatnam recently hosted five Women's World Cup matches—the chasing team won every time. Australia chased 331 against India, and South Africa recovered from 81/5 to chase 252, highlighting what to expect in the evening.

For South Africa, this is a chance to achieve a rare double. India seldom lose at home, and losing both a Test series and an ODI series here hasn't happened in nearly 40 years. South Africa will look to apply early pressure with the ball. Virat Kohli has two centuries, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rohit Sharma also among the runs, but India's response to early wickets will be tested.

When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM local time
Where: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
What to expect: Clear skies. The last ODI here saw India bowl Australia out for 117, but the two preceding ODIs between India and West Indies were high-scoring.

India are unlikely to change their XI after Gaikwad impressed at No.4. Prasidh Krishna has been expensive, but with no backup pacer in the squad, India are expected to remain unchanged.

Probable XI: Yashavi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna

South Africa will be forced into changes after Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger suffered hamstring injuries. Ottneil Baartman should return, with Rubin Hermann a possible replacement for de Zorzi to maintain balance.

Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke, Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

Stats:

• India have the most ODI wins since 2023.
• Virat Kohli's ODI scores at Vizag: 118, 117, 99, 65, 157*, 0, 31.
• Five of Yashavi Jaiswal's six dismissals across two Tests and two ODIs have been to left-arm quicks.

Quote:
"I'm just getting more experience now batting at four, which I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable in the role. So that helps, and I think the more I play at number four and in this role, hopefully the better I'll get." – Matthew Breetzke on batting at No.4.