In a series where the coin toss seemed to hold more power than the bat, India finally broke a 20-game curse and rode the momentum to a commanding 2-1 ODI series victory over South Africa. The decisive third match in Visakhapatnam saw the hosts, led by a clinical bowling performance and a flawless chase, win by nine wickets, showcasing their dominance when conditions finally fell in their favor.
The narrative of the series was dominated by one factor: dew. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had explained India’s battle with the wet ball, estimating it could influence results by 10-20%. In the first two matches, South Africa capitalized on bowling second under lights, chasing down 359 in Raipur to level the series. The toss, therefore, became a focal point. When KL Rahul finally won one—eliciting a roaring fist-pump and a celebratory ‘Yessss!!!’—it felt like a significant shift. He elected to field, a decision that paid immediate dividends.
South Africa’s innings was a tale of two halves, masterminded by Quinton de Kock. The wicketkeeper-batsman played a sensational knock, scoring 106 off just 89 balls. He led a South African revival after a tricky start, where Arshdeep Singh removed Ryan Rickelton early. De Kock’s assault was brutal, particularly on Prasidh Krishna, whom he hit for three sixes in two overs as the pacer conceded 27 runs initially. At 168/1 in the 28th over, with de Kock in full flow and Matthew Breetzke (48) providing support, South Africa looked set for a total well beyond 350.
Then came the turning point. Prasidh Krishna, whose place was under intense scrutiny after leaking over 10 runs an over in the previous defeat, engineered a stunning comeback. In a single over, he removed Breetzke and the dangerous Aiden Markram. He later returned to dismiss the centurion de Kock, finishing with figures of 4/66. His redemption was complete, repaying the bold faith shown by captain Rahul and coach Gautam Gambhir. From the other end, Kuldeep Yadav, bowling with a dry ball for the first time in the series, wreaked havoc on the lower order, taking 4/41. South Africa collapsed from a position of strength to be bowled out for 270.
The chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Rohit Sharma, needing 27 runs to reach 20,000 international runs, reached the milestone effortlessly during his 75 off 73 balls. He shared a 155-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played the perfect supporting role early on. After Rohit fell, Jaiswal accelerated to a maiden ODI century, finishing 116 not out. At the other end, Virat Kohli was in sublime touch, racing to an unbeaten 65 off just 45 balls, hitting his 76th ODI fifty and sealing the win with over 10 overs to spare. Kohli’s series was extraordinary, earning him the Player of the Series award for his 302 runs at an average of 151.
The victory was a comprehensive team performance that underscored India’s resilience. After losing the Test series, they avoided a rare home ‘double’ defeat. The series also highlighted the evolving challenges of modern ODI cricket, where the single-ball rule from the 34th over interacts dramatically with evening dew. For South Africa, despite the series loss, the fight shown by their young batters, particularly de Kock’s brilliance, offers promise. The focus now shifts to a five-match T20I series, but this ODI contest will be remembered for India conquering the elements, a bowler’s dramatic redemption, and the timeless class of its modern greats.