The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa has reached its most crucial point. With the series tied 1-1, the final ODI at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam has become a virtual final. India will aim to maintain its strong record against South Africa in ODIs, while the Proteas will be pushing to win their first ODI series in India in a decade.

Team India’s record in Visakhapatnam
The Visakhapatnam ground has traditionally favoured India. Out of 10 ODIs played here, India has won seven, lost only two, and tied one—an impressive win percentage of over 70. However, India’s last ODI victory at this venue came back in 2019. Australia’s win here in 2023 raised questions about India’s dominance. Six years later, India will be eager to reclaim its winning touch at this venue, and fans believe Visakhapatnam could once again bring luck to the Men in Blue.

In contrast, the ground is unfamiliar territory for South Africa. The Proteas have never played an ODI in Visakhapatnam. They did play a Test here in 2019 and a T20I in 2022, losing both. This means South Africa’s record at this venue stands at zero wins. For the Proteas to claim the series, they must rewrite history and secure their first-ever victory on this ground.

Squads of both teams
Team India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brewis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenellan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneel Bartman, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rubin Harman.