India defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the 3rd ODI at Visakhapatnam, sealing the ODI series 2–1 in a dominant fashion. The three-match series featured high-scoring thrillers, back-to-back centuries, and outstanding individual performances — especially from Virat Kohli, who was named Player of the Series for his 302 runs.
1st ODI – Ranchi (JSCA International Stadium)
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India posted a massive 349/8, powered by:
- Rohit Sharma – 57 runs
- Virat Kohli – 135 runs off 120 balls (83rd international century)
- KL Rahul – 60 off 56 balls
- Ravindra Jadeja – 32 runs
Chasing 350, South Africa fought hard but were bowled out for 332/10 (49.2 ov).
Key contributions:
- Breetzke – 72 (80)
- Tony de Zorzi – 39
- Marco Jansen – 70 (39)
- Corbin Bosch – 67 (51) — nearly pulled off the chase before getting caught.
For India:
- Kuldeep Yadav – 4 wickets
- Harshit Rana – 3 wickets
India won by 17 runs.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli for his brilliant 135.
2nd ODI – Raipur (SVNS Stadium)
South Africa again opted to bowl, and India produced another huge total: 358/5 (50 ov).
Major innings:
- Virat Kohli – 102 (93) — back-to-back centuries, his 84th international century
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – 105 (83) — maiden ODI century
- KL Rahul – 66 (43)*
South Africa created history by chasing down 362/6 (49.2 ov), their highest successful ODI chase outside home.
Top scorers:
- Aiden Markram – 110 (98)
- Temba Bavuma – 46 (48)
- Breetzke – 68
- Dewald Brevis – 54
- Corbin Bosch – 29 (15) finishing the chase in style
This massive chase was possible mainly because Raipur had heavy dew, making batting much easier in the second innings.
South Africa won by 4 wickets.
3rd ODI – Visakhapatnam
India won the toss and chose to bowl first, knowing dew would help the chasing side.
This was India’s 21st toss win in their last 20 matches across formats, which made KL Rahul and mentor Gautam Gambhir very happy.
South Africa were bowled out for 270/10 (47.5 ov).
Top performers:
- Quinton de Kock – 106 (89)
- Temba Bavuma – 48
For India:
- Prasidh Krishna – 4 wickets
- Kuldeep Yadav – 4 wickets
India chased the target effortlessly, winning by nine wickets.
Batting brilliance:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 116 (121) — maiden ODI century
- Rohit Sharma – 75 (73)
- Virat Kohli – 65 (45)* — played a stunning no-look shot
With this win, India clinched the series 2–1.
Virat Kohli became the leading run-scorer of the series (302 runs) and was awarded Player of the Series.
Gautam Gambhir’s Press Conference Reaction
After the final ODI, Gautam Gambhir praised Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad for their maiden centuries. He also appreciated India’s bench strength and young performers.
But many fans feel Gambhir should also have spoken about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who delivered exceptional performances throughout the series.
Without their contributions — especially Kohli’s two centuries and Rohit’s consistent starts — it would have been extremely difficult for India to win this series against a strong South African side.
FULL SERIES SCORECARD
🏏 India vs South Africa ODI Series 2025 — Summary
Result: India won the series 2–1
Player of the Series: Virat Kohli (302 runs)
1st ODI – Ranchi
India 349/8 (50 ov)
- Virat Kohli 135 (120)
- Rohit Sharma 57
- KL Rahul 60 (56)
South Africa 332/10 (49.2 ov)
- Breetzke 72
- Jansen 70 (39)
- Corbin Bosch 67 (51)
India won by 17 runs
POTM: Virat Kohli
2nd ODI – Raipur
India 358/5 (50 ov)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 105 (83)
- Virat Kohli 102 (93)
- KL Rahul 66* (43)
South Africa 362/6 (49.2 ov)
- Markram 110 (98)
- Breetzke 68
- Brevis 54
South Africa won by 4 wickets
3rd ODI – Visakhapatnam
South Africa 270/10 (47.5 ov)
- de Kock 106 (89)
- Bavuma 48
India 273/1 (38.4 ov)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal 116 (121)
- Rohit Sharma 75 (73)
- Virat Kohli 65* (45)
India won by 9 wickets
Series Result: India win 2–1
Player of the Series: Virat Kohli
Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Still Doubted for the 2027 World Cup?
Even after this brilliant ODI series, some people still question whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be fit and mentally strong enough to play the 2027 World Cup. Earlier, critics claimed that both seniors needed to “prove” their fitness, consistency, and mental toughness.
But now, after their performances, those doubts look completely baseless.
Rohit Sharma recently scored a century in Sydney and followed it up with a fluent 75-run knock in this series. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, delivered back-to-back centuries along with a solid half-century in the third ODI.
With this level of form and fitness, who can question them now?
If both Rohit and Virat continue performing like this in ODIs, there is absolutely no reason why they won’t play the 2027 World Cup. Their experience, consistency, and match-winning ability remain unmatched, and they continue to prove that they are still among the best in the world.
