India completed a convincing chase to beat South Africa by nine wickets in the do-or-die third ODI at Visakhapatnam, powered by a majestic maiden ODI hundred from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a powerful bowling comeback from Prasidh Krishna that helped restrict the Proteas to 270. The win gave India a 2-1 series victory in the three-match white-ball contest and underlined the balancing act between assured batting and incisive pace bowling that the side demonstrated on the night.
Jaiswal’s landmark innings: technique, temperament and the first ton
Yashasvi Jaiswal turned heads with a composed, authoritative innings that combined textbook technique with the fearlessness expected of a modern opening batter. After a cautious start to assess the conditions, Jaiswal accelerated beautifully, rotating the strike and punishing anything short or loose. His century — the first in ODIs — arrived with a mixture of crisp drives, athletic running between the wickets and well-timed boundaries that kept the scoreboard moving. Jaiswal’s knock laid the foundation for a chase completed inside 40 overs, and it was a clear statement that he is ready to carry a long-term opening role for India in white-ball cricket.
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Prasidh Krishna’s revival: pace, bounce and crucial breakthroughs
While the chase stole the headlines, the earlier bowling performance set the game up for India. Prasidh Krishna produced a vital spell that combined raw pace, clever use of angles and timely wickets to derail South Africa’s middle and lower order. After an uneven outing in the previous game, Krishna found rhythm and bounce — trapping batters lbw, hitting the top of off stump and inducing false shots under pressure. His four-wicket return (alongside support from Kuldeep Yadav and the seam attack) ensured South Africa were pegged back to 270, a total India could target with confidence thanks to their strong top order. Prasidh’s comeback underlines his value as an out-and-out wicket taker in Indian conditions when he hits the right lengths.
How the match unfolded: key moments and turning points
South Africa looked set for a competitive total after Quinton de Kock’s belligerent century gave them impetus through the top order, but a mid-innings collapse — triggered by disciplined lines from India’s seamers and a quality spin spell — halted momentum. Prasidh’s second-spell burst removed key batters, and Kuldeep picked up crucial scalps to halt the Proteas resurgence. In pursuit, Rohit Sharma provided the perfect complement to Jaiswal with an aggressive start, and Virat Kohli’s steady presence ensured the chase never tilted. The 155-run opening partnership effectively ended the contest as a close one and allowed India to wrap up the chase with overs to spare.
Beyond the scoreboard, the match offered a few tactical takeaways: the importance of rotating strike in big chases, the value of having an impact bowler who can swing the game back after a quiet match, and the reassurance that India’s batting depth can absorb pressure and accelerate when needed. For Jaiswal, the ton cements his reputation as a rising white-ball star. For Prasidh Krishna, the four-wicket return is a timely reminder that raw pace, when controlled, remains a vital asset in limited-overs cricket.
What this means for both teams
India will take confidence from the series win: the combination of youth and experience worked well, with players stepping up in crucial moments. South Africa, meanwhile, will reflect on missed middle-over opportunities and the need for greater depth in certain bowling overs. Both teams can draw positives — the Proteas from their batting shows of intent, and India from their ability to close out a series under pressure. Analysts will likely praise India’s ability to blend bold stroke play with controlled bowling spells in the same match.
Disclaimer: This article is a match summary based on published scorecards and live reports. Statistics and match details were current at the time of publication; readers should consult official scorecards for ball-by-ball records and final confirmations.
Source (full scorecard): ESPNcricinfo — IND vs SA, 3rd ODI (Full Scorecard).
Author: Team RA News