Jaiswal shines with his first ODI century, propelling India to a series-clinching win over South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Discover the match highlights!
Introduction:
A commanding unbeaten century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and yet another Virat Kohli masterclass powered India to a seven-wicket victory in the decisive third ODI against South Africa at Visakhapatnam. The triumph gave India a 2–1 series win and offered the perfect response to the disappointment of the recently lost Test series.
After bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep Yadav combined brilliantly to dismiss South Africa for 270, the Indian top order made the chase look effortless. Rohit Sharma’s fluent 75 set the tone, Jaiswal’s 116 not out provided the flourish, and Kohli’s unbeaten 65 added composure — a dominant performance that underlined the adaptability and efficiency of India’s limited‑overs unit on home soil.
Under warm December skies and a packed Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy stadium, India turned the series finale into a showcase of balance and control across batting and bowling.
Rahul’s call pays off as bowlers dominate early
Winning the toss for the first time in the series, captain KL Rahul opted to field on a pitch with early movement expected. His faith in the seamers was rewarded instantly.
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Arshdeep Singh struck in his very first over, trapping Ryan Rickelton for a duck with a beautiful inswinger that pierced the left‑hander’s tentative defence. The wicket sent energy through the Indian camp and reaffirmed Rahul’s decision to make early use of morning moisture.
South Africa, led by Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma, began the process of consolidation. De Kock’s timing was immaculate from the start. Bavuma’s measured footwork steadied proceedings, the pair exhibiting the trademark resilience of experienced campaigners. They added 82 for the second wicket before Bavuma, attempting to loft Kuldeep Yadav down the ground, holed out to Shreyas Iyer at long‑off for 48.
That dismissal broke the backbone of South Africa’s measured recovery, opening the way for India’s spinners and seamers to take control.
Kuldeep and Prasidh trigger the slide
Australia’s previous series in these conditions had shown South Africa’s comfort against pace, but frailty against loop and variation — and Kuldeep Yadav once again exposed that weakness. His left‑arm wrist‑spin extracted just enough drift and dip to bewilder the middle order.
Rassie van der Dussen fell prodding to short cover, while Heinrich Klaasen’s eager flick against a flighted delivery veered into Rahul’s gloves. Two wickets in quick succession left South Africa wobbling at 140 for 4, the innings effectively under reconstruction.
At the opposite end, Prasidh Krishna maintained exemplary accuracy, bending the ball back into the middle and off, forcing edges and false strokes. The tall seamer scalped four wickets, including the crucial one of de Kock, who sought to accelerate late and miscued to deep midwicket.
Kuldeep matched his pace counterpart stride for stride with another four‑wicket haul. His performance — 4 for 56 — was marked by precision and poise rather than variety alone. Between them, Krishna and Kuldeep shared 8 wickets, carving the heart out of the South African lineup.
De Kock’s lone brilliance stands tall
In isolation, Quinton de Kock’s knock of 106 off 89 balls stood as the finest batting display of the day. Showing sharp judgment of length and immaculate timing, the left‑hander struck 11 fours and three sixes, blending orthodox drives with audacious sweeps to counter India’s spin assault.
From the moment he pulled Prasidh behind square for four, de Kock appeared destined for something special. The way he handled Arshdeep’s short ball — swaying and pulling in one motion — reflected confidence and clarity. Yet, the lack of support hurt the South Africans badly. After Bavuma’s departure, de Kock’s partners fell one after another, mostly to poor shot selection under pressure.
He eventually reached his century with a smooth glide through covers but fell shortly after to Krishna. When he departed at 241 for 8, South Africa’s hopes of reaching beyond 300 evaporated.
Late cameos from Dewald Brevis (22) and Keshav Maharaj (18 not out) carried them to 270 before the innings folded in 47.5 overs, a total that looked ten short of competitive against India’s deep batting order and strong record at this venue.
Rohit and Jaiswal lay a dominant platform
Faced with a modest target on a true surface, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma approached the chase with controlled aggression. Rohit, often impatient when attacking early, took his time, respecting the new ball before unleashing his full repertoire once set.
Jaiswal, on the other hand, exuded youthful confidence from his first boundary — a gorgeous square drive off Marco Jansen. His technique against good‑length deliveries was compact, his rhythm seamless. The left‑right combination consistently disrupted the South African bowlers’ lines.
Through the Powerplay, India reached 58 without loss, their calm efficiency emblematic of an imposing chase. Beuran Hendricks struggled with his radar, while Jansen was punished for bowling too full.
Rohit soon shifted gears, lofting Maharaj over mid‑on and then sweeping him defiantly to reach his half‑century from 55 balls. He was in that effortless zone that defines his best one‑day knocks. Every stroke seemed threaded through muscle memory — a whip off the pads here, a floated punch through covers there.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, grew into his task, taking calculated risks after Rohit’s lead. His running between the wickets was electric, his placement precise. When the partnership crossed 150 — India’s highest opening stand of the series — the outcome felt all but decided.
Rohit falls, but mighty Kohli ensures a smooth finish
Rohit eventually fell for 75 (off 89 balls), flicking Hendricks to deep square leg where a leaping van der Dussen completed the catch. His dismissal barely altered India’s momentum.
At 155 for 1, the crowd welcomed Virat Kohli, who received a near‑deafening ovation as he walked in. Having hit centuries in both previous games, Kohli looked determined to seal the series with finesse.
From the outset, Kohli was in supreme touch. His first boundary — a classical drive threaded through extra cover off Brevis — set the tone. His timing was sublime; every defensive prod looked immovable, every single purposeful. Subconsciously, his partnership with Jaiswal evolved into a master–apprentice display.
While Kohli worked gaps like clockwork, Jaiswal etched his name with authority into India’s ODI narrative. The 23‑year‑old advanced into Maharaj, carving him through long‑off to move into the nineties, the Visakhapatnam crowd roaring with anticipation.
His century arrived in storybook style — a serene pull to deep midwicket off Hendricks. Jaiswal lifted his bat toward the dressing room, the smile revealing joy and composure all at once.
From there, Kohli and Jaiswal raced towards the target with elegance rather than aggression. With every boundary cutting the deficit, South Africa’s shoulders slumped further.
Jaiswal finishes it off in style
India sealed victory in the 40th over in fitting fashion — Jaiswal dancing down the track to dispatch Maharaj over extra cover for four. He finished unbeaten on 116 off 101 deliveries, an innings interspersed with 12 fours and two sixes. Kohli remained 65 not out, his anchor role perfectly matching the young opener’s artistry.
India’s final total — 274 for 1 in 39.5 overs — captured not only dominance but also control in execution. A 2–1 series win underscored their turnaround after losing the Perth ODI, and the result reaffirmed this side’s strength in Indian conditions.
For Rahul, it marked his first ODI series win as full‑time captain, and his tactical management — particularly trust in bowlers early — drew praise.
South Africa’s struggle continues away from home
South Africa’s batting flattered to deceive once more. De Kock remained a solitary figure fighting against an Indian attack that refused to relent. Their spinners struggled for penetration, and Maharaj – usually their banker – found no purchase on a flat pitch. Jansen’s lengths lacked control, conceding 7.5 runs per over, while Hendricks’ inconsistency allowed India early freedom.
Still, the touring side carried moments of resistance worth noting: Bavuma’s assurance in the Powerplay and Brevis’s quick runs at the death showed they have building blocks, but discipline and balance remain missing.
Coach Shukri Conrad admitted post‑match that his side “failed to seize crucial phases,†acknowledging India’s tactical sharpness.
A night of balance and belief for India
This win symbolized everything India wants from their evolving ODI setup — youth complementing experience. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s first ODI hundred came in the company of two masters: Rohit’s pace control and Kohli’s guiding calm. Behind them, the fast‑bowling combination of Arshdeep and Prasidh delivered decisive spells that could define India’s template for white‑ball cricket in 2026.
For the supporters in Visakhapatnam, it was more than victory; it was reassurance. Indian cricket, sometimes burdened by expectation, displayed unity and rhythm. And for a team regrouping after a challenging Test series defeat, this was exactly the statement they needed.
