India Clinches Series with Dominant Nine-Wicket Win Over South Africa; Yashasvi Jaiswal Scores Maiden ODI Century

Visakhapatnam, Dec 2025 : In a commanding display of batting and bowling prowess, India defeated South Africa by nine wickets with nearly 10 overs to spare in the third and final ODI of the series at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The victory, driven by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden 50-over century, alongside impactful half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, allowed India to seal the three-match ODI series 2-1, completing a remarkable white-ball comeback after losing the Test series 0-2.

The match was a showcase of India’s all-round superiority. After being put in to bat, South Africa posted a challenging 270 all out, courtesy of Quinton de Kock’s 106 and captain Temba Bavuma’s 48. India’s bowlers, particularly Kuldeep Yadav (4-41) and Prasidh Krishna (4-66), dismantled the South African lineup, ensuring no batsman could capitalize on a steady partnership. Krishna’s incisive spells, combined with Kuldeep’s clever variations, triggered a collapse that saw South Africa losing crucial wickets in quick succession.

In response, India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma set a calm yet assertive tone, steadily chasing down the target. Rohit, who was later named Player of the Match, scored a fluent 75 off 73 balls, hitting seven boundaries and three towering sixes, demonstrating that age is no barrier to skill, even at 38. His performance laid the foundation for a commanding first-wicket stand of 155 runs with Jaiswal. Rohit appeared set for a century but fell to Keshav Maharaj, caught by Matthew Breetzke while attempting a sweep shot.

Jaiswal, who reached his fifty off 75 balls, played with remarkable composure before accelerating to his maiden ODI century off 111 balls, striking 10 fours and a six. His innings displayed both patience and aggression, reflecting maturity beyond his years. At the other end, Virat Kohli unleashed his trademark elegance and power, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls, marked by six boundaries and three sixes. His stroke-making included a spectacular no-look six off Corbin Bosch, captivating the packed stadium. Kohli’s performance cemented his dominance in the series, having amassed 301 runs across three matches, including two centuries and one half-century.

Together, Jaiswal and Kohli shared a crucial 116-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding India to a comfortable victory. India reached 271/1 in 39.1 overs, showcasing a blend of measured batting and aggressive stroke play. The innings highlighted India’s depth, with contributions from both emerging and established players, emphasizing the team’s strength in chasing competitive totals.

South Africa’s innings began optimistically with Ryan Rickelton dismissed for a duck by Arshdeep Singh in the first over. However, Quinton de Kock stabilized the innings with a brilliant century. Alongside Bavuma (48) and Matthew Breetzke (24), de Kock guided South Africa to 168/2, putting India under initial pressure. His innings included a 113-run partnership with Bavuma for the second wicket, adding 54 more runs to bring up his century off 80 balls. This was de Kock’s 23rd ODI century as a designated wicketkeeper, equalling Kumar Sangakkara, and placing him joint highest among keepers globally.

India’s bowlers, however, turned the tide. Prasidh Krishna, returning for a second spell, removed Aiden Markram and delivered the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Quinton de Kock, shattering his middle stump with a well-directed delivery. Dewald Brevis (29) and Marco Jansen (17) added 35 runs for the sixth wicket, but Kuldeep Yadav dismantled the tail with two quick wickets in successive balls, including Brevis and Jansen, securing a decisive advantage for India.

The partnership between Jaiswal and Rohit, followed by Kohli’s finishing flourish, highlighted the collective batting strength. Jaiswal’s 116 not out from 121 balls, Rohit’s 75, and Kohli’s unbeaten 65 demonstrated a controlled yet dominating approach. India’s innings blended resilience, calculated aggression, and technical finesse, ensuring a comprehensive chase and a resounding victory margin of nine wickets.

This win marked India’s 10th consecutive ODI series triumph at home, reaffirming their dominance in the white-ball format. The team showcased how strategic partnerships, disciplined bowling, and mature batting can overcome even strong opposition.

The match was also significant for emerging players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who, by scoring centuries in all three formats, became the sixth Indian and youngest batsman to achieve this milestone. For Rohit Sharma, the performance reinforced his enduring ability to perform under pressure, while Virat Kohli’s aggressive half-century further solidified his reputation as a master of pacing innings during high-stakes chases.

The series highlighted India’s cricketing depth and resilience. After losing the Test series 0-2, the team’s ability to bounce back emphatically in ODIs reflected strong preparation, adaptability, and mental toughness. Both the senior stars and emerging talents contributed decisively, ensuring India closed the series on a high note.

With this emphatic win, India not only demonstrated their dominance over South Africa in limited-overs cricket but also sent a strong message about their capability to rebound after setbacks, combining experience and youth to achieve consistent success.

India vs South Africa 3rd ODI Scorecard:

India: 271/1 (39.5 overs)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 116* (121b, 12×4, 2×6)
• Rohit Sharma: 75 (73b, 7×4, 3×6)
• Virat Kohli: 65* (45b, 6×4, 3×6)

South Africa Bowling:

• Marco Jansen: 8-1-39-0
• Lungisani Ngidi: 6.5-0-56-0
• Keshav Maharaj: 10-0-44-1
• Ottniel Baartman: 7-0-60-0
• Corbin Bosch: 6-0-53-0
• Aiden Markram: 2-0-17-0

South Africa: 270 all out

• Quinton de Kock: 106
• Temba Bavuma: 48

India’s emphatic nine-wicket win, powered by stellar batting and incisive bowling, marked a fitting end to a thrilling ODI series, leaving fans with memorable performances and a demonstration of India’s white-ball supremacy.

Team Maverick