India are preparing for the high-stakes India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. With a proud record at stake — no visiting team has beaten India in both Tests and ODIs on the same tour for 41 years, India will need more than just big hundreds from Virat Kohli. A win in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 could help them maintain that streak, but another loss might bring challenges they have struggled with in recent matches.
READ MORE:
- 2026 World Cup Draw Boosts Messi vs Ronaldo 2026 FIFA World Cup Clash Chances
- Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test: Dramatic Over Suddenly Leaves England Back in the Game
The Toss and Dew: Key Factors in Vizag
Sport is unpredictable, but India’s recent luck with tosses has been astonishingly poor. The team has lost 20 tosses in a row, a streak with a probability of just 0.000095%. In day-night ODIs like the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025, this becomes more than just bad luck. For India’s young bowling attack, heavy evening dew has become a significant problem.
At coastal venues like Visakhapatnam, whoever wins the toss in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 could gain a huge advantage. Bowling second means facing a wet, slippery ball as the dew sets in, making it hard for seamers to control their deliveries. The new rule allowing only one new ball after the 34th over adds to the problem. The first bowling team benefits from a drier ball in later overs, while the second-bowling team struggles with the damp, worn ball.
India’s batting coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, acknowledged the challenge before the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025, suggesting that starting day-night games earlier might reduce dew’s impact. “The dew factor is so big here. It’s not our fault, but it’s our responsibility to find a way around it,” he said. “The biggest challenge is the difference between batting first and second. Adjusting start times could help, but broadcasting schedules make it difficult.”
South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, are confident despite these conditions. If batting first, they will aim for a score at least 20 runs above par. If bowling second, their seamers need to be well-prepared to handle the moisture-soaked ball in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025.
India vs South Africa: Form and Team Updates
India have struggled against this South African side recently. They were beaten 0–2 in the Test series and have had close calls in the ODIs. In Ranchi, India’s 349-run total was just enough for a 17-run win. In Raipur, even 359 runs weren’t safe, as South Africa matched the highest successful chase by a visiting team in India’s ODI history. This adds pressure for the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025.
Visakhapatnam is another batting-friendly venue, but dew could play a decisive role. During the Women’s World Cup in October, India failed to defend 330 against Australia here. In training before the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025, both teams observed heavy dew, underlining the toss’s importance. Weather forecasts predict no rain, so conditions are expected to remain fair. Historically, India have won seven of ten ODIs at Vizag, though their last match here in 2023 ended in a 10-wicket defeat to Australia after being bowled out for 112.
Team selection may also be crucial in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025. Washington Sundar has struggled in the middle order, and India may consider Tilak Varma as a replacement. South Africa face injury concerns, with pacer Nandre Burger and middle-order batter Tony de Zorzi doubtful. Ottneil Baartman could replace Burger, while Ryan Rickelton or the inexperienced Rubin Herman may step in if de Zorzi cannot play.
The match promises to be a thrilling contest, where factors like the toss, dew, and team strategy could decide the outcome. India will hope for more than just individual brilliance if they want to keep their 41-year record alive against the visiting Proteas in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025.
SEE MORE:
