Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

A wonderful run South Africa run chase has set the series up for a decider in Visakhapatnam. Aiden Markram led the way with the kind of innings many know he is capable of, producing a superb century to help the Proteas level the series.

Defending a score has proven tough in the two ODIs. This is likely to be the case once again with dew to settle in the evening. India, who have lost a remarkable 20 tosses in a row in ODIs, will be hoping this is their time.

Both teams have in-form batsmen ready to go again in what is expected to be excellent batting conditions. The great Virat Kohli has two centuries in as many matches in this series, while Ruturaj Gaikwad showed his best in his own ton at Raipur. In response, South Africa’s deep batting lineup came to the fore again, with the likes of Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64) and Dewald Brevis (54 off 34) making significant contributions.

So, who will stand tallest in this series decider? Can the team batting first do enough to get a victory? A strong total and excellent start with the ball is crucial.

IND vs SA 3rd ODI 2025 Possible Playing XIs

India could stick with the same team.

India: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 5. KL Rahul (c & wk), 6. Washington Sundar, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Harshit Rana, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Prasidh Krishna

Ottneil Baartman and Ryan Rickelton are expected to come in for Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, who are both injured. Rickelton is typically an opener but he’ll likely bat in the middle order.

South Africa: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Matthew Breetzke, 5. Ryan Rickelton, 6. Dewald Brevis, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Corbin Bosch, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Ottneil Baartman

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam Pitch Report and Weather

Expect more superb batting conditions with the toss likely to be crucial. India have lost 20 tosses in a row in ODIs. Whoever wins the toss here will surely opt to chase given the dew under lights.

The average first innings score in the last five ODIs at Visakhapatnam is 261.8, going back to 2016. Pace bowlers have taken 34 wickets in this period at an average of 40.47 and economy of 6.31. Spinners have taken 30 wickets at an average of 30.33 and economy of 5.65.

A hazy day is forecast with a top of 27 degrees. No rain is forecast, as per AccuWeather.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs SA 3rd ODI 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• KL Rahul has 126 runs in this series at a strike rate of 127.27, scoring 256 Dream11 points in the process.
• Quinton de Kock is currently picked in just 44.81% of Dream11 teams after a poor first two matches. He has 22 ODI centuries, including six against India, so he can be a real difference maker on his day.

Key batter picks:

• Virat Kohli has slammed consecutive centuries in this series. Also, Kohli has an outstanding record in ODIs on this ground, hitting 587 runs at an average of 97.83 and strike rate of 100.34.
• Matthew Breetzke has an impressive seven 50+ scores in 11 ODIs. He has 682 runs overall at an average of 68.20 and strike rate of 96.46.
• Rohit Sharma has two fifties and a hundred in his past four ODIs. Rohit also has two fifties and a century in seven ODIs on this ground, totalling 355 runs at an average of 59.16 and strike rate of 99.43.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad looked magnificent at number four. He has been in terrific form in recent matches with scores of 117, 68* and 25 for India A against South Africa A last month.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Aiden Markram is a different beast when he isn’t captain in ODIs. He averages 41.40 with a strike rate of 101.15 when not captain (68 matches) compared to 23.13 and 80.69 when leading the team (17 matches).
• Marco Jansen has Yashasvi Jaiswal’s number and is in great form with the bat despite missing out in the second ODI. He is a must-pick in your Dream11 teams and is a genuine captain/vice-captain option.
• Corbin Bosch didn’t execute his yorkers as we know he can in the second ODI, but the fact he bowls at the death brings wicket-taking opportunities. Also, his 15-ball 29* was another example of his all-round quality.

Key bowler picks:

• Kuldeep Yadav is the leading wicket-taker in this series and has nine wickets in four ODIs at Visakhapatnam (SR 20.66).
• Arshdeep Singh took two wickets in each of the first two ODis in this series. The left-arm seamer will be crucial in the powerplay.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Dewald Brevis is striking at 146.77 in this series. Given he is picked in 53.39% of Dream11 teams, Brevis can be a point of difference in fantasy cricket.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal is picked in under 50% of Dream11 teams. The opener is struggling for form, with his battle against left-arm seam in the spotlight. Will today be his day?
• Since the start of 2023, Lungi Ngidi has taken 48 ODI wickets at a strike rate of 32.2. He will be key today with his variations.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• India have won three of the past five ODIs against South Africa.
• In ODIs since the start of 2023, KL Rahul has scored 1,458 runs at an average of 58.3 and strike rate of 91.5. He has a century in two ODIs on this ground as well.
• Virat Kohli has scored two fifties and three hundreds in seven ODIs at Visakhapatnam.
• Marco Jansen has dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal four times across the Tests and ODIs on this tour (72 balls, 49 runs).
• Kuldeep Yadav vs Dewald Brevis in this series: 23 balls, 32 runs, one wicket.
• Arshdeep Singh has dismissed Quinton de Kock four times in 27 balls in all white-ball internations (three times in T20Is, once in ODIs).

IND vs SA 3rd ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

IND vs SA 3rd ODI 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

My pick is the chasing team will prevail with the win. Both batting lineups look too strong to keep in check with dew.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.