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The three-match One Day International series between India and South Africa has been a high-octane spectacle, setting the stage for a captivating finale in Visakhapatnam. India drew first blood in the series opener at Ranchi, posting a massive total spearheaded by a vintage century from Virat Kohli, successfully defending the score despite a spirited lower-order fightback from the Proteas.
However, South Africa bounced back emphatically in the second ODI at Raipur, chasing down an even larger Indian total of 359, thanks to a sensational hundred from their captain, Aiden Markram, who expertly marshalled a flawless pursuit under the lights and the hindrance of heavy dew. This result has leveled the series at 1-1, turning the final fixture into a crucial, winner-take-all contest where team selection and tactical flexibility will be paramount in determining which side walks away with the coveted series trophy.
IND vs SA, 3rd ODI: Will Prasidh Krishna be dropped for the decider?
Following two consecutive, expensive outings in the series, the position of young pacer Prasidh Krishna in India’s playing XI for the final ODI is under immense pressure, with strong indications suggesting he will be dropped. His performance in the second match was particularly concerning, where he was carted for an economy rate exceeding 10 runs per over in his 8.2 overs, leaking 85 runs as South Africa comfortably chased down a daunting 359.
While he did manage to take a couple of wickets, his struggles with consistency in line and length during the middle and death overs allowed the required run rate to be managed effectively by the South African batters. The need for a more controlled and economical option, especially considering the inevitable dew factor in a coastal venue like Visakhapatnam, makes his exclusion the most logical and anticipated change by the team management. His inconsistent form in the 50-over format, particularly in home conditions, has made him a vulnerable target, and the team will now look for a replacement that offers more balance and reliability.
IND vs SA, 3rd ODI: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s potential entry into the Indian line-up
The likely replacement for the under-fire Prasidh Krishna is the young Andhra all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy, a move that would fundamentally alter the team’s composition by significantly deepening both the batting and bowling capabilities. Reddy is a seam-bowling all-rounder who bats aggressively in the middle order, providing the perfect solution to the dual problem of an expensive third seamer and a sometimes-brittle lower middle order.
His inclusion would effectively give India a three-pronged pace attack, alongside Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana and a crucial sixth bowling option, reducing the pressure on the frontline bowlers. Furthermore, his batting strength allows the team to play five specialist bowlers without compromising on batting depth, an essential factor in high-scoring ODI encounters. The team management, led by KL Rahul, will look to his dual skills to inject both control with the ball and much-needed finishing impetus with the bat in this high-stakes decider, strengthening the team balance in a way that a specialist bowler could not.
Other expected changes in India’s playing XI for the 3rd ODI vs South Africa
In addition to the likely change in the pace attack, the Indian team is widely expected to make a significant adjustment to the batting order, which would likely see the experienced left-hander Rishabh Pant come in for the off-spinning all-rounder, Washington Sundar. Sundar’s impact in the first two matches has been minimal, bowling a total of just seven overs and failing to fire with the bat, which has led to questions about his utility at number five in a full-strength batting line-up. Bringing in Rishabh Pant would inject much-needed firepower into the middle order, especially given his proven ability to score quickly and take on the fast bowlers, a skill that could be critical in capitalizing on the final 15 overs of the innings.
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This strategic swap signals India’s intent to prioritise aggressive batting depth over a specialist spinning all-rounder, especially with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav already forming a formidable spin duo. Pant’s presence at number five would allow KL Rahul to continue playing his natural game at number six, further solidifying the batting unit.
Another potential, albeit less likely, change is the inclusion of Tilak Varma if India decided not to go with Pant, offering another left-handed option with handy off-spin, but Pant’s experience in pressure games gives him the edge. Ultimately, India will move from a 4-2-1 structure (4 specialist bowlers, 2 all-rounders, 1 part-timer) to a more balanced 5-1-1 model (5 specialist bowlers/all-rounders with a multi-utility player), making the XI more dynamic and better suited for the high-scoring Vizag conditions.
India’s probable playing XI for the 3rd ODI vs South Africa:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma/Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh
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