India's bowlers produced a clinical second-half fightback in the series-deciding third ODI against South Africa on December 6, 2025, at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, restricting the Proteas to a below-par 270 all out in 48.2 overs after Captain KL Rahul won his first toss in 21 ODIs and opted to field first. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed a match-turning 5/45—his ninth five-wicket haul in ODIs—dismissing Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch in a devastating spell of 2 overs to shatter the lower order. Pacer Prasidh Krishna complemented with 4/62, vindicating head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rahul's faith in the young quick after his expensive spells in the first two games, removing key threats like Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma to swing momentum decisively.

Quintonne de Kock's gritty 106 off 98 balls—his 33rd ODI tonne and seventh against India—anchored South Africa's innings, featuring aggressive sweeps and drives against Ravindra Jadeja and Arshdeep Singh, but the visitors struggled post his dismissal in the 35th over, losing 7 wickets for 80 runs. Bavuma contributed a patient 48, while Brevis (32) and Jansen (25) offered brief resistance before Kuldeep's guile—two wickets in three balls—sealed the collapse. South Africa's total, boosted by Keshav Maharaj's unbeaten 28 off 20, falls short of the 320+ posted in the first two high-scoring thrillers, with India's spinners exploiting the turning red-soil pitch under overcast skies.

Rahul's historic toss win—ending a 20-match streak since the 2023 World Cup semi-final—allowed India to leverage early seam movement, where Arshdeep struck with Ryan Rickelton's duck in the first over. The change to Tilak Varma for Washington Sundar bolstered batting depth, while South Africa, depleted by hamstring injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, introduced Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman without immediate impact. Gambhir's bold persistence with Prasidh, who repaid him with his best ODI figures since 2023, underscores a youth-focused strategy amid the post-Rohit-Kohli transition.

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As India chases 271 in the final ODI of 2025—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's last white-ball outing this year—the target appears gettable at a venue where India holds a strong record, including a 387/5 against the West Indies in 2019. With dew a potential factor in the evening chase, Rahul's side will lean on the top order's form—Kohli's 237 runs across the first two games—to secure a series win and end the year on a high before the T20I leg starts December 9.

The match, broadcast live on Star Sports, drew packed stands and global viewership, highlighting India's depth without rested stars like Jasprit Bumrah. South Africa's tour—already featuring a Test series draw—now hinges on a consolation victory, but Kuldeep's wizardry and Prasidh's redemption have tilted the scales firmly toward the hosts in this pulsating decider.

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