IND vs SA, 3rd ODI: Kuldeep and Prasidh grab four each as India stop South Africa at 270
India seized control of the third ODI in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The team walked in with clear intent. KL Rahul won the toss and chose to bowl. He backed his attack to strike early, and the bowlers responded with precision.
To begin with, Prasidh Krishna set the tone. He hit the deck hard, found movement, and removed key batters. He kept pressure on South Africa with tight lines and sharp bounce. Soon after, Kuldeep Yadav took charge. He attacked with drift and sharp turn. He dismantled the middle order in just three overs. He removed Marco Jansen, Dewald Brevis, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch. His spell broke South Africa’s rhythm and pushed them into panic.
Meanwhile, India maintained energy in the field. The bowlers kept switching angles and lengths. They worked in pairs and built pressure through quick breakthroughs. As a result, South Africa struggled to rebuild.
The pitch supported stroke play, yet India’s attack overcame that challenge. Even as dew threatened to ease batting later, India stayed disciplined. The bowlers stuck to a plan. They forced mistakes. They halted partnerships before they grew dangerous.
On the other hand, South Africa relied heavily on pace. They picked only one frontline spinner. Their plan worked in earlier games, but India’s bowlers adapted better this time. They read the surface early and attacked with variety.
The series stood at 1–1 before this match. Both teams carried the weight of a decider. India approached the contest with a balanced XI. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened. Virat Kohli held the anchor role. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma added depth. Rahul managed both the innings and the team’s strategy. Ravindra Jadeja offered control in the middle overs. Harshit Rana added pace. Kuldeep, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna completed a strong bowling lineup.
Meanwhile, South Africa entered with a familiar core. Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock opened. Temba Bavuma anchored. Aiden Markram and Matthew Breetzke looked to stabilize. Dewald Brevis aimed to attack. Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch offered all-round options. Keshav Maharaj provided spin. Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman added pace.
As the innings progressed, South Africa kept losing wickets in clusters. Each breakthrough widened the gap. India controlled phases, shifted field placements quickly, and used matchups wisely. They never allowed momentum to slip.
Eventually, the disciplined effort bowled South Africa out for 270. The target looked competitive, yet chaseable on this surface. India knew dew could later favour batters. With form on their side and clarity in plans, India walked into the chase with confidence.
In summary, India dominated the first half of the match with sharp bowling, smart rotation, and relentless pressure. The bowlers shaped the contest. Now, the batters hold the job of sealing the series.IND vs SA, 3rd ODI: Kuldeep and Prasidh grab four each as India stop South Africa at 270
