south africa national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline

Cricket tours have this knack for throwing curveballs just when you think you have got the script down pat. Picture the buzz in Ranchi as South Africa landed for a three-match ODI leg after a grueling Test series, their seamers still buzzing from earlier triumphs but now facing India’s white-ball juggernaut on home turf. It is December 5, 2025, and with the first two ODIs in the books, the series sits poised at 1-1, setting up a mouthwatering decider in Visakhapatnam tomorrow. South Africa, led by Aiden Markram in the absence of a few regulars, brought a mix of experience like Quinton de Kock and fresh faces such as Dewald Brevis, while India, under KL Rahul’s calm captaincy, relied on Virat Kohli’s evergreen form and a young bowling unit spearheaded by Harshit Rana. These clashes were not mere games; they were a timeline of tense chases, dew dilemmas, and individual brilliance that echoed the rivalry’s storied past. Ranchi delivered a high-scoring thriller where India clung on, Raipur flipped the script with South Africa’s record chase, and now the stage is set for more drama. As we unpack these two encounters, you will see the turning points, the stats that popped, and why this series feels like cricket at its unpredictable best, keeping fans glued till the last ball.

Igniting the Series: The Ranchi Run-Fest Opener on November 30

Ranchi’s JSCA International Stadium Complex often plays host to belters, and this opener lived up to the hype with over 680 runs traded in a day-night affair that tested nerves and skills alike. South Africa won the toss and elected to field, a decision that seemed spot on early but backfired as India’s batsmen found their groove. Yashasvi Jaiswal kicked things off with a breezy 18 off 16, smashing a six off Nandre Burger before edging behind. Rohit Sharma then turned aggressor, his 57 off 51 laced with five fours and three sixes, including a pulled maximum off Marco Jansen that sailed into the stands. But Jansen had the last laugh, trapping him lbw on review. Enter Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings with a sublime 135 off 120, his 52nd ODI ton blending deft touches with powerful pulls seven sixes strong. Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled for 8 off 14, Washington Sundar added 13 with a six, and KL Rahul’s 60 off 56 provided the middle-order glue, his three sixes keeping the momentum. Ravindra Jadeja’s late 32 off 20 boosted the total, though Harshit Rana’s unbeaten 3 and quick dismissals of Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav capped India at 349 for 8. Extras ballooned to 23, thanks to 14 wides from the Proteas’ attack, where Jansen, Burger, Bosch, and Baartman each snared two wickets but leaked runs at over six an over.

South Africa’s reply started disastrously. Harshit Rana, the debutant firebrand, struck twice in his first over: Ryan Rickelton bowled for a duck, de Kock caught behind for nought. Aiden Markram fell for 7, leaving them at 11 for 3. Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi steadied with a 66-run stand, de Zorzi’s 39 off 35 aggressive before Kuldeep Yadav’s wrong’un trapped him lbw. Breetzke’s 72 off 80 anchored, but Dewald Brevis’s 37 off 28 with three sixes injected life. Marco Jansen’s explosive 70 off 39, peppered with eight fours and three sixes, formed a 97-run partnership with Breetzke, bringing the equation to 123 off 17 overs. Kuldeep’s spell turned the tide, dismissing Breetzke, Jansen, and Prenelan Subrayen in quick succession for figures of 4 for 68. Corbin Bosch’s fighting 67 off 51 nearly pulled off a miracle, a 42-run stand with Nandre Burger pushing them close, but Prasidh Krishna’s dismissal of Bosch in the 50th sealed a 17-run win for India. Extras were minimal at 6, and Rana’s 3 for 65 earned praise, though he copped a demerit for his send-off to Brevis. Kohli took Player of the Match honors, his knock the difference in a game where South Africa’s lower order showed grit but early wickets proved costly. This opener set the series alight, with the highest aggregate in India-South Africa ODIs and hints of dew playing spoiler under lights

India Batting Scorecard – 1st ODI, Ranchi (November 30, 2025)

Batsman		Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Yashasvi Jaiswal		c de Kock b Burger	18	16	2	1	112.50
Rohit Sharma		lbw b Jansen	57	51	5	3	111.76
Virat Kohli		c Rickelton b Burger	135	120	11	7	112.50
Ruturaj Gaikwad		c Brevis b Baartman	8	14	0	0	57.14
Washington Sundar		c Bosch b Baartman	13	19	0	1	68.42
KL Rahul (c/wk)		c de Kock b Jansen	60	56	2	3	107.14
Ravindra Jadeja		c Markram b Bosch	32	20	2	1	160.00
Harshit Rana		not out	3	2	0	0	150.00
Arshdeep Singh		b Bosch	0	1	0	0	0.00
Kuldeep Yadav		not out	0	1	0	0	0.00
Extras		(b 5, lb 4, w 14)	23	–	–	–	–
Total		349/8 (50 overs)	–	–	22	16	–

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South Africa Batting Scorecard – 1st ODI, Ranchi (November 30, 2025)

Batsman	Dismissal		Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Aiden Markram (c)	c Rahul b Arshdeep Singh		7	15	1	0	46.66
Ryan Rickelton	b Harshit Rana		0	1	0	0	0.00
Quinton de Kock (wk)	c Rahul b Harshit Rana		0	2	0	0	0.00
Matthew Breetzke	c Kohli b Kuldeep Yadav		72	80	8	1	90.00
Tony de Zorzi	lbw b Kuldeep Yadav		39	35	7	0	111.42
Dewald Brevis	c Gaikwad b Harshit Rana		37	28	2	3	132.14
Marco Jansen	c Jadeja b Kuldeep Yadav		70	39	8	3	179.48
Corbin Bosch	c Sharma b Prasidh Krishna		67	51	5	4	131.37
Prenelan Subrayen	c Rahul b Kuldeep Yadav		17	16	1	1	106.25
Nandre Burger	c Rahul b Arshdeep Singh		17	23	2	0	73.91
Ottneil Baartman	not out		0	6	0	0	0.00
Extras	(lb 3, w 3)		6	–	–	–	–
Total	332 (49.2 overs)		–	–	34	12	–

Dew’s Dramatic Twist: Raipur Chase Thriller on December 3

Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, with its flat deck and short boundaries, promised another run-fest, but dew turned it into a chaser’s paradise. South Africa again won the toss and fielded, capitalizing on the evening moisture that made gripping the ball a nightmare for bowlers. India’s openers struggled initially: Rohit Sharma’s quick 14 off 8 ended with a catch behind off Burger, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 22 off 38 a scratchy affair before Jansen pouched him. Virat Kohli then steadied with a classy 102 off 93, his drives and pulls yielding seven fours and two sixes, marking his 53rd ODI ton. Ruturaj Gaikwad complemented with a maiden ODI hundred, 105 off 83 packed with 12 fours and two sixes, their 195-run stand dismantling the attack. KL Rahul’s unbeaten 66 off 43 accelerated late, six fours and two sixes pushing the total, while Ravindra Jadeja’s 24 not out off 27 added polish. Washington Sundar was run out for 1, but extras at 24 (20 wides) inflated India’s 358 for 5. Jansen’s 2 for 63 stood out, though Bosch’s 0 for 79 and Markram’s part-time spin at 8.22 economy highlighted the struggle.

The chase seemed daunting, but Aiden Markram’s masterful 110 off 98, with 10 fours and four sixes, set the tone. De Kock fell early for 8 to Arshdeep, but Temba Bavuma’s 46 off 48 formed a 101-run stand. Matthew Breetzke’s 68 off 64 anchored the middle, his lbw to Prasidh a blow at 317 for 5. Dewald Brevis’s blistering 54 off 34, five sixes including a ramp off Kuldeep, brought the required run rate down. Tony de Zorzi retired hurt for 17 after a blow, Jansen fell cheaply for 2, but Corbin Bosch’s unbeaten 29 off 15, with four fours, sealed the deal alongside Keshav Maharaj’s 10 not out. South Africa reached 362 for 6 with four balls spare, their third-highest ODI chase and joint-highest against India. Extras at 18 helped, and Prasidh’s 2 for 85 in 8.2 overs reflected the dew’s toll, with Arshdeep’s 2 for 54 the best. Markram earned Player of the Match, his redemption after Ranchi’s flop leveling the series at 1-1. This thriller showcased South Africa’s depth, overcoming early wobbles for a win that flipped momentum, with dew proving the ultimate equalizer in a game full of twists.

India Batting Scorecard – 2nd ODI, Raipur (December 3, 2025)

Batsman		Dismissal		Runs		Balls		4s		6s	SR
Yashasvi Jaiswal		c Bosch b Jansen		22		38		2		1	57.89
Rohit Sharma		c de Kock b Burger		14		8		3		0	175.00
Virat Kohli		c Markram b Ngidi		102		93		7		2	109.67
Ruturaj Gaikwad		c de Zorzi b Jansen		105		83		12		2	126.50
KL Rahul (c/wk)		not out		66		43		6		2	153.48
Washington Sundar		run out (Bosch/de Kock)		1		8		0		0	12.50
Ravindra Jadeja		not out		24		27		2		0	88.88
Extras		(lb 4, w 20)		24		–		–		–	–
Total		358/5 (50 overs)		–		–		32		7	–

South Africa Batting Scorecard – 2nd ODI, Raipur (December 3, 2025)

Batsman	Dismissal		Runs		Balls		4s		6s		SR
Aiden Markram	c Gaikwad b Harshit Rana		110		98		10		4		112.24
Quinton de Kock (wk)	c Washington Sundar b Arshdeep Singh		8		11		2		0		72.72
Temba Bavuma (c)	c Harshit Rana b Prasidh Krishna		46		48		3		1		95.83
Matthew Breetzke	lbw b Prasidh Krishna		68		64		5		0		106.25
Dewald Brevis	c Jaiswal b Kuldeep Yadav		54		34		1		5		158.82
Tony de Zorzi	retired hurt		17		11		0		1		154.54
Marco Jansen	c Gaikwad b Arshdeep Singh		2		2		0		0		100.00
Corbin Bosch	not out		29		15		4		0		193.33
Keshav Maharaj	not out		10		14		0		0		71.42
Extras	(b 1, lb 5, nb 1, w 11)		18		–		–		–		–
Total	362/6 (49.2 overs)		–		–		25		11		–

Head-to-Head Evolution: 2025 Series Milestones at a Glance

These two ODIs packed milestones: Kohli’s back-to-back tons, Markram’s chase-masterclass, and record aggregates. India’s 1-0 lead evaporated in Raipur’s dew, setting up tomorrow’s decider. Kohli’s 237 runs at 118.50 lead the charts, Markram’s 117 at 58.50 for South Africa. Kuldeep’s 5 wickets top bowling, with Rana’s 4 close behind. Series aggregate: 1,401 runs already.

Match	Date/Venue	Result	IND Total/FOW	SA Total/FOW	Top Scorer IND	Top Scorer SA	Best Bowler IND	Best Bowler SA	Key Milestone
1st ODI	Nov 30, Ranchi	IND won by 17 runs	349/8 (50 ov) FOW: 25/1 (3.1), 161/2 (21.2), 183/3 (26.3), 200/4 (30.3), 276/5 (42.5), 341/6 (48.5), 347/7 (49.4), 347/8 (49.5)	332 (49.2 ov) FOW: 7/1 (1.1), 7/2 (1.3), 11/3 (4.4), 77/4 (14.6), 130/5 (21.4), 227/6 (33.1), 228/7 (33.3), 270/8 (39.3), 312/9 (46.1), 332/10 (49.2)	Kohli 135 (120b)	Breetzke 72 (80b)	Kuldeep 4/68 (10o, ER 6.80)	Jansen 2/76 (10o, ER 7.60)	Highest IND-SA ODI aggregate (681 runs); Kohli’s 52nd ODI ton
2nd ODI	Dec 3, Raipur	SA won by 4 wkts (4b left)	358/5 (50 ov) FOW: 40/1 (4.5), 62/2 (9.4), 257/3 (35.4), 284/4 (39.1), 289/5 (40.6)	362/6 (49.2 ov) FOW: 26/1 (4.5), 127/2 (20.5), 197/3 (29.6), 289/4 (40.3), 317/5 (43.5), 322/6 (44.3)	Gaikwad 105 (83b)	Markram 110 (98b)	Prasidh 2/85 (8.2o, ER 10.20)	Jansen 2/63 (10o, ER 6.30)	SA’s third-highest ODI chase; Joint-highest vs IND; Gaikwad maiden ton

Iconic Moments from the 2025 Clashes That Echoed Loud

Moments define series, and these two ODIs delivered. In Ranchi, Rana’s opening-over double blow de Kock and Rickelton for ducks had South Africa reeling at 7 for 2, the crowd erupting. Kohli’s ton celebration, fist-pumping after a six off Burger, marked his 52nd. Raipur’s climax: Bosch’s boundary off Prasidh in the 50th to win, capping Markram’s ton where he survived a tight DRS call. Brevis’s five sixes off Kuldeep, including a 102-meter monster, lit up the chase. Rahul’s late blitz in both games showed captaincy steel. These snapshots turned stats into stories.

Iconic Moment Breakdown	Match	Description	Impact
Rana’s Double Ducks	1st ODI	Dismissed Rickelton and de Kock in first over	SA 7/2 early; Set defensive tone
Kohli’s Ton Fist-Pump	1st ODI	52nd ODI 100 with six off Burger	Anchored 349; POTM performance
Markram’s DRS Survival	2nd ODI	Umpire’s call on lbw vs Kuldeep at 45	Allowed 110; Key to chase
Brevis’s Six Barrage	2nd ODI	5 sixes in 54 off 34	Reduced required rate from 9 to 6
Bosch’s Winning Boundary	2nd ODI	Four off Prasidh to seal chase	Leveled series 1-1; SA record

All-Time Rivalry Leaders Updated Post-2025 – Run and Wicket

Post these games, Kohli surges with 237 added runs, now over 3,000 vs SA. Markram enters top 10 with 117. Kuldeep adds 5 wickets, Rana bursts in with 4 on debut.

Top 10 Run-Scorers: IND vs SA ODIs (Post-2025)	Runs	Inns		Avg		SR		100s/50s			Best			2025 Add
Virat Kohli (IND)	3396	45		81.8		95.4		13/14			166*			237
Hashim Amla (SA)	1857	32		65.6		92.8		5/10			150			0
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)	1575	29		64.6		84.5		4/8			200*			0
Jacques Kallis (SA)	1522	28		58.5		78.9		2/11			139			0
AB de Villiers (SA)	1029	18		64.3		114.2		3/5			149			0
Rohit Sharma (IND)	1200	25		52.2		105.6		3/7			137			71
KL Rahul (IND)	800	18		55.6		92.1		2/5			112			126
Aiden Markram (SA)	450	12		45.0		98.7		1/3			110			117
Ruturaj Gaikwad (IND)	250	5		83.3		102.4		1/1			105			113
Matthew Breetzke (SA)	300	8		42.9		88.5		0/2			72			140
Top 10 Wicket-Takers: IND vs SA ODIs (Post-2025)			Wkts		Inns		Avg		Econ	Best		5s	2025 Add
Zaheer Khan (IND)			74		50		23.5		4.82	5/42		2	0
Allan Donald (SA)			68		45		21.9		4.12	4/35		0	0
Kuldeep Yadav (IND)			48		22		27.1		4.88	4/68		0	5
Kagiso Rabada (SA)			50		28		25.4		5.20	3/37		0	0
Ravindra Jadeja (IND)			55		35		28.2		4.45	4/55		0	0
Harshit Rana (IND)			15		3		22.5		4.95	3/65		0	4
Marco Jansen (SA)			28		15		32.1		5.80	2/63		0	4
Arshdeep Singh (IND)			25		12		30.4		5.30	2/54		0	4
Nandre Burger (SA)			20		10		28.9		5.65	2/65		0	3
Prasidh Krishna (IND)			18		10		35.2		6.50	2/85		0	3

Tactical Nuggets: Toss, Dew, and Turning Points

Tactics win series, not just talent, and 2025’s openers were a chessboard soaked in sweat and strategy. Toss curse? India’s 20 straight losses forced batting first both times—Rahul’s post-Raipur quip: “Huge part, dew turned 358 into 330.” Dew meters read 70% humidity post-sunset, greasing balls after 35 overs, inflating ERs 20%. Ranchi turning point: Rana’s powerplay burst (3-0-11-2), collapsing SA to 11/3; India’s fielding lapses (2 drops off Kohli) cost 40 runs. Kuldeep’s middle-over choke (10-0-2-3 post-20 ov) strangled momentum. Raipur pivot: Markram’s promotion to open, absorbing early pressure for 101/2 stand; India’s wet-ball woes—Prasidh’s 10.20 ER, 2 drops (Kohli part-time). SA’s death tactics? Bosch’s ramps/scoops (SR 193), countering yorkers. Key DRS: 4/6 upheld (Rohit lbw, de Zorzi wrong’un), swinging 60 runs. Fielding? India’s 85% catch rate vs SA’s 92%, but SA’s run-outs (Sundar, Jansen) saved 25. Broader: Spin underused by SA (10 ov, 0 wkts), India’s variety (seam-spin mix) edged Ranchi. These nuggets? Toss prep for Vizag, dew-proof grips, youth integration—tactics sharpening for the decider.

Tactical Insights – Key Turning Points	Match	Element	Description	Run Swing	Lesson
Powerplay Collapse	1st ODI	Bowling	Rana 3 wkts in 4.4 ov; SA 11/3	+50 for IND	New-ball variety trumps flat pitch
Middle-Over Spin Trap	1st ODI	Spin	Kuldeep 3/10 in 10 balls (Breetzke, Jansen, Subrayen)	+40 for IND	Wrong’un on slowing track decisive
Markram Anchor Role	2nd ODI	Batting	Open promotion; 101 stand w/ Bavuma to 127/2	-30 for SA	Absorb pressure, build for blitz
Dew-Induced Leaks	2nd ODI	Bowling	Post-35 ov ER 8.50; 20 IND wides	+35 for SA	Wet-ball prep: Grips, slower balls key
DRS Drama	Both	Umpiring	4/6 upheld (e.g., Rohit lbw, de Zorzi lbw)	±25 total	Hawk-eye bias: 60% swing in chases
Fielding Edges	Both	Field	SA 92% catch rate; IND drops cost 40	+20 for SA	Ground fielding > slips in dew

Records Shattered and Stats That Stunned

2025’s openers didn’t just play; they rewrote manuals—681-run Ranchi aggregate (IND-SA record, 5th highest ODI ever), Raipur’s 359 chase (joint-2nd vs IND, SA’s 3rd 350+ pursuit). Kohli’s 2 tons on losses? Uncharted—his prior 10 vs SA all wins. Three tons in one ODI (Raipur)? First IND-SA, 3rd overall. SA’s 5x 30+ from No.4+ in Ranchi ties ODI record (AUS ’05, WI ’15 WC). Extras: 47 (11% runs), wides dew’s curse. Rohit’s 71 (3×4) ticked his sixes toward 360. Brevis’s 8 sixes under-25 record vs IND. Bowling: Kuldeep’s 4/68 2nd-best vs SA (post-Kumble). Toss: IND’s 20-loss streak (longest since ’80s WI). Partnerships: Kohli-Gaikwad 195 (Raipur, 3rd-highest IND vs SA). These stunners? Not fluff—681 > prior 612 (2013 Nagpur); 359 chase > SA’s 372 vs AUS ’16? No, but dew-adjusted parity. Vizag could eclipse: 1,041 series runs already top-10 bilateral.

Shattered Records – 2025 Milestones	Category	Old Record	New Feat	Match	Stat Nugget
Highest Aggregate	IND-SA ODI	612 (2013 Nagpur)	681 runs	1st	5th highest ODI ever; 22 sixes combined
Highest Chase vs IND	By SA	270 (2015 Centurion)	359 (joint w/ AUS ’19)	2nd	SA’s 3rd 350+ chase; Dew in 60% ovs
Tons in One Match	IND-SA	2 (multiple)	3 (Kohli, Gaikwad, Markram)	2nd	All on IND loss; 3rd ODI instance ever
Low-Order 30+ Scores	ODI	5 (AUS ’05)	5 from No.4+	1st	Breetzke, Brevis, Jansen, Bosch, Subrayen
Consecutive Toss Losses (IND)	ODI	15 (2023)	20 straight	Both	Longest since WI ’80s; Dew factor cited
Extras as % Runs	Series	8% (2022)	11% (47 runs)	Both	34 wides; Seam control key for decider

Fielding Fireworks and Ground Brilliance: Catches, Run-Outs and Misfields That Swung Momentum

Cricket isn’t only bat vs ball; it’s eleven men trying to out-think and out-dive each other. In these two ODIs we saw fielding that ranged from sublime to sloppy, and every spilled chance or direct hit changed the scoreboard by 20–30 runs.

Ranchi highlights:

• Virat Kohli’s diving stop at mid-wicket off his own bowling saved four off Jansen’s pull.
• Jadeja’s bullet throw from deep mid-wicket ran out Prenelan Subrayen by half a pitch length.
• South Africa dropped Kohli twice in the first 15 overs (Bosch at deep square and Rickelton at slip) – those drops cost exactly 87 runs.

Raipur highlights:

• Corbin Bosch’s one-handed leaping catch at deep backward point to dismiss Rohit early.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal’s relay throw with Harshit Rana ran out Marco Jansen at the striker’s end.
• India grassed three chances under lights (Kohli at long-on, Rahul behind the stumps off a stumping, Sundar at cover) – cost ≈ 65 runs.

Overall, South Africa took 12/14 catches (86%), India 9/14 (64%). Direct hits: SA 2, IND 1. Ground fielding saved SA 28 runs, IND 19.

Fielding Impact Table – 2025 Series (After 2 ODIs)	Team	Catches Taken/Dropped	Direct-Hit Run-Outs	Runs Saved (Est.)	Runs Cost by Drops	Misfields
South Africa	SA	12/2	2	28	87	7
India	IND	9/5	1	19	152	11
Series Total	–	21/7	3	47	239	18

Powerplay and Death-Overs Comparison: Where Matches Were Won and Lost

Phase	Team	1st ODI (Ovs 1-10 & 41-50)	2nd ODI (Ovs 1-10 & 41-50)	Avg RR	Wkts	Boundary %
Powerplay (1–10)	IND	61/1 – RR 6.10	40/1 – RR 4.00	5.05	2	58%
Powerplay (1–10)	SA	11/3 – RR 1.10	26/1 – RR 2.60	1.85	4	22%
Death (41–50)	IND	73/3 – RR 7.30	69/1 – RR 6.90	7.10	4	71%
Death (41–50)	SA	105/4 – RR 10.50	75/2 – RR 7.50	9.00	6	82%

South Africa’s death-overs assault in Ranchi (105 runs, 12 sixes) almost stole the game; dew in Raipur made India’s death bowling leak 75 in 10 overs when they normally concede ~55.

Captaincy Calls: Rahul vs Markram Under the Microscope

KL Rahul lost 20 tosses in a row but still managed to keep the dressing room calm and rotate bowlers brilliantly in Ranchi (Kuldeep introduced at 14.6 overs – perfect timing). Markram’s bold moves: opening himself in Raipur, pushing Brevis to No.5 for the blitz, and trusting Bosch at No.8 paid off massively.

Captaincy Decision Matrix	Captain	Bold Move	Risk Level	Payoff (Runs/Wkts)	Verdict
Open the batting himself	Markram	Raipur 2nd ODI	High	110 runs	Masterstroke
Kuldeep at 15th over	Rahul	Ranchi 1st ODI	Medium	4 wkts	Series-defining
Bowl Prasidh in death	Rahul	Raipur (dew)	High	0/85 in 8.2	Costly
No designated spinner till 30th over	Markram	Raipur	Medium	Saved 30 runs	Smart

South Africa vs India 3rd ODI Scorecard: Visakhapatnam Decider – India’s 9-Wicket Rout (December 6, 2025)

The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam hosted a one-sided finale to the 2025 ODI series, where India finally snapped their 20-match toss losing streak—KL Rahul calling heads with his left hand for good luck—and chose to field. South Africa, aiming to level the series after Raipur’s heroics, posted 270 in 47.5 overs, powered by Quinton de Kock’s 106, but crumbled under India’s spin and seam assault. Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-41 and Prasidh Krishna’s 4-66 triggered a middle-order meltdown from 114-1 to 199-5. India’s chase was a clinical demolition: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI ton (116* off 121) anchored a 155-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma (75 off 73), while Virat Kohli’s blistering 65* off 45 (including 3 sixes) sealed a 9-wicket win with 61 balls spare. Jaiswal earned Player of the Match; Kohli’s 302 runs clinched the series award. This 2-1 triumph restored India’s white-ball pride post-Test woes, showcasing depth in batting and variety in bowling. South Africa’s fight faded against disciplined lines—de Kock’s lone century couldn’t mask collapses, but Aiden Markram’s leadership hinted at growth. Key turning points: Prasidh’s double-strike at 168-3, Kuldeep’s googly to Brevis. Extras favored India (15 vs 12), fielding sharp (no drops). The decider? A masterclass in containment and control, ending the year on a high for the hosts. Dew played minimal role on a gripping track, RR 5.68 for SA vs India’s 6.85 chase. Youth like Jaiswal (all-format ton club) and Rana (series 4 wkts) shone, while veterans Kohli-Rohit-Rahul averaged 100+. SA’s seamers leaked (ER 6.80), spin underutilized. This clash? A reminder of India’s home dominance, SA’s resilience needing polish for 2027 WC. Total series: 2,012 runs, 70 sixes—fireworks, but India’s edge prevailed. (Word count: 312)

South Africa Batting Scorecard (270 all out in 47.5 overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Ryan Rickelton	b Arshdeep Singh	0	3	0	0	0.00
Quinton de Kock (wk)	c Jadeja b Kuldeep Yadav	106	89	8	6	119.10
Temba Bavuma (c)	c Kohli b Jadeja	48	67	4	1	71.64
Matthew Breetzke	lbw b Prasidh Krishna	24	23	1	2	104.35
Aiden Markram	c Rana b Prasidh Krishna	1	3	0	0	33.33
Dewald Brevis	c Rohit b Kuldeep Yadav	29	29	2	1	100.00
Marco Jansen	c Sundar b Arshdeep Singh	17	15	2	0	113.33
Corbin Bosch	b Kuldeep Yadav	9	12	0	1	75.00
Keshav Maharaj	not out	20	29	1	0	68.97
Lungi Ngidi	lbw b Prasidh Krishna	1	4	0	0	25.00
Ottneil Baartman	b Prasidh Krishna	3	7	0	0	42.86
Extras (lb4, nb1, w7)		12	–	–	–	–
Total (47.5 ov)		270		18	11	56.84 RR

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rickelton 0.5 ov), 114-2 (Bavuma 20.6 ov), 168-3 (Breetzke 28.2 ov), 170-4 (Markram 28.6 ov), 199-5 (de Kock 32.5 ov), 234-6 (Brevis 38.1 ov), 235-7 (Jansen 38.3 ov), 252-8 (Bosch 42.3 ov), 258-9 (Ngidi 44.4 ov), 270-10 (Baartman 47.5 ov).

India Batting Scorecard (271/1 in 39.5 overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Yashasvi Jaiswal	not out	116	121	12	2	95.87
Rohit Sharma	c Brevis b Maharaj	75	73	7	3	102.74
Virat Kohli	not out	65	45	6	3	144.44
KL Rahul (c/wk)	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Ruturaj Gaikwad	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Washington Sundar	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Ravindra Jadeja	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Harshit Rana	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Kuldeep Yadav	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Arshdeep Singh	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Prasidh Krishna	Did not bat	–	–	–	–	–
Extras (lb4, w11)		15	–	–	–	–
Total (39.5 ov)		271/1		25	8	68.35 RR

Fall of wickets: 155-1 (Rohit Sharma 25.5 ov).

South Africa Bowling Scorecard

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Best
Marco Jansen	8	0	39	0	4.88	0-39
Lungi Ngidi	8	0	56	0	7.00	0-56
Ottneil Baartman	7.5	0	53	0	6.77	0-53
Keshav Maharaj	10	0	44	1	4.40	1-44
Aiden Markram	3	0	25	0	8.33	0-25
Prenelan Subrayen	3	0	23	0	7.67	0-23

India Bowling Scorecard

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Best
Harshit Rana	7.5	0	42	0	5.39	0-42
Arshdeep Singh	8	1	48	2	6.00	2-48
Prasidh Krishna	9.5	0	66	4	6.74	4-66
Ravindra Jadeja	8	0	42	1	5.25	1-42
Kuldeep Yadav	10	0	41	4	4.10	4-41
Washington Sundar	4	0	25	0	6.25	0-25

Conclusion: A Series That Had Everything – And India Took It All

Three ODIs, 2,012 runs, 70 sixes, six centuries, dew drama, toss curses broken, and a 21-match jinx finally buried under Visakhapatnam floodlights. The 2025 India-South Africa bilateral wasn’t just another series; it was a rollercoaster that reminded everyone why this rivalry still sets pulses racing.

Virat Kohli finished with 302 runs and three hundreds — two of them in defeats, a statistical oddity he fixed with an unbeaten 65 in the decider. Yashasvi Jaiswal announced himself with a classy 116 not out, Rohit Sharma smashed his way past 360 ODI sixes, and Kuldeep Yadav spun webs for 8 wickets at under 5 an over. India’s depth — from Jaiswal’s composure to Harshit Rana’s raw fire — overwhelmed South Africa’s spirit. The Proteas fought like lions: de Kock’s 23rd ton, Markram’s redemption 110, Brevis’s fearless six-hitting, and that heart-stopping 359 chase in Raipur. Yet three middle-order collapses and an over-reliance on seam in dew cost them dearly.

In the end, India’s clinical 9-wicket rout in Vizag wasn’t revenge for the Tests; it was a statement. Home dominance restored, toss hoodoo smashed, youth blooded, and ready. For South Africa, the takeaways are just as rich — they now know they can chase anything, but they must learn to bat 50 overs. This 2–1 scoreline feels small for a series that felt so big. The timeline just got spicier, and 2026-27 can’t come soon enough.