IND vs SA 3rd ODI Match Preview – The intense three-match ODI series between India and South Africa has been characterized by stunning batting displays and record-breaking chases, culminating in a thrilling winner-takes-all final. With the series locked at 1-1, the two cricketing giants face off today in the 3rd ODI at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Both matches so far have been run-fests, with both sides crossing the 300-run mark on both occasions. India drew first blood in Ranchi, winning by 17 runs despite South Africa’s valiant chase. However, the Proteas struck back hard in the second ODI, scripting a record chase of 359 runs, led by Aiden Markram’s magnificent century, to level the series in Raipur. The momentum now shifts to Visakhapatnam, a venue where neither side has played an ODI against each other before.
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Match Details
| Feature | Details |
| Match | India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI |
| Series | South Africa tour of India, 2025 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, December 06, 2025, 01:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| Live Telecast | JioHotstar, Star Sports |
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Head-to-Head
In the historical context of ODI cricket, South Africa holds the overall advantage over India.
| Format | Total Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
| ODI | 96 | 41 | 52 | 3 |
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Pitch Report: Visakhapatnam
The pitch at the ACA-VDCA Stadium is generally considered a batter-friendly surface.
Batting Conditions: The surface offers even bounce and true pace in the early part of the match, encouraging fluent stroke play. Competitive scores here range from 270 and above, but aggressive teams can push totals well past 300.
Spin and Pace: The pitch begins to slow slightly as the game progresses, allowing spinners to find grip and challenge the batters. Seamers rely on cutters in the later overs to control the scoring rate.
Toss Factor: The venue has a clear advantage for teams that chase, with 5 out of 11 ODIs being won by the side batting second. Dew is a common factor in the evening, which tends to neutralize spin, makes the outfield faster, and favors the team batting second. The team winning the toss will likely elect to bowl first.
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Weather Report
The weather in Visakhapatnam on Saturday is expected to be warm during the afternoon, with humidity increasing steadily toward the evening.
Temperature: Temperatures will be around 27°C to 28°C in the afternoon, before dropping to around 21°C by evening.
Rain Threat: The forecast is for a mostly sunny day with a low chance of precipitation (10% or less), suggesting a full match is likely.
Conditions: The increasing humidity and the inevitable evening dew will be the biggest factor, influencing the decision at the toss.
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Probable Playing11
Both teams may consider changes given the high-scoring nature of the series and the toll taken on the bowlers.
India (IND): India might opt to strengthen their batting depth. Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma could potentially replace Washington Sundar, who struggled in the first two games. Given the expected spin support, the core bowling attack remains key.
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (w/c), Rishabh Pant/Tilak Varma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa (SA): South Africa has found a winning formula, relying on a dominant chase, and is unlikely to make major changes unless forced. Their top-order form has been exceptional, led by Aiden Markram’s century.
Quinton de Kock (w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
IND vs SA 3rd ODI Match Prediction
The series has been defined by high scores and the impact of the chase. India’s batting, led by Virat Kohli’s back-to-back centuries and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden ton, has been phenomenal. However, India’s bowling attack struggled significantly in the second ODI due to heavy dew, leading to a successful record chase by the Proteas.
South Africa’s successful pursuit of 359 has given them immense confidence in chasing down any total. Given the pitch history in Vizag and the high likelihood of evening dew, the toss will be monumental.
If the team batting second can execute their chase as clinically as South Africa did in Raipur, they will have the upper hand. While India has a good track record at this venue, South Africa’s sheer power and recent momentum in the chase make them the slight favorites.
Prediction: The team that wins the toss and opts to bowl first holds a significant advantage. South Africa is predicted to win the match and the series.
