After being outplayed by South Africa in all three departments in the second ODI, India will have to bounce back in the third and final game, at Boland Park Stadium in Paarl on Thursday (December 21). The teams are tied 1-1. If they win, this will be India’s second ever ODI series win in the Rainbow Nation.
Opening partnership has been a concern for India in the first two matches, and their chances of a win hinge on a strong start. Sai Sudharsan has been impressive with scores of 55 and 62, but Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled to provide support.
Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson have also faced challenges in finding form. This is an opportunity for them to come good on what is expected to be a batting-friendly pitch. Rinku Singh, who failed to make an impact in his debut ODI, also gets another chance to make a mark in this format.
In the bowling department, Mukesh Kumar has gone without a wicket in the first two matches. Considering the venue’s history, where pacers have averaged 29.29 in 15 ODIs, Mukesh is likely to retain his place.
The team management may contemplate giving veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal a chance. However, the decision could hinge on convincing either Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel to make way for him. Paarl has never been spin-friendly. Spinners average 37.93 at this venue. With the series on the line, India will field their strongest possible XI.
Following the disappointments of the first ODI, South Africa displayed a much-improved all-round performance to draw level in the series.
Tony de Zorzi was a force with the bat, notching up a splendid maiden ODI century in Gqeberha. Nandre Burger, who went wicketless on ODI debut in Johannesburg, emerged as the bowling star for the hosts with three wickets.
Heading into the decider, the Proteas will hope to see their openers maintain their form. Aiden Markram, as the team leader, must step up. He averages 41.30 in three ODIs at this venue. Rassie Van der Dussen has accumulated 166 runs in two innings and remained unbeaten twice, with a best of 129 not out.
The South African pacers have troubled most of the young Indian batters in the series. In Paarl, they can expect to extract more from the wicket. As the first-choice spinner, Keshav Maharaj too needs to step up and take wickets.
Time and venue details
India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI. 4:30 PM IST. Boland Park, Paarl.
Expected conditions
The pitch is well-balanced for a 50-over contest. Recent history shows that teams batting first have found more success. In the last six innings at this venue, five witnessed totals above 250.
Probable XIs
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams.
India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c/wk), Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar.
Match-up
Sudharsan vs Burger: Sudharsan has had a memorable tour so far, scoring fifties in both ODIs. On the other hand, Burger has shown what he can do with a three-wicket burst at Gqeberha.
Match-speak
We are a really good team, and the team is quite resilient. The guys were confident we could find our stride again. I can’t give a reason why we’ve seen such polarising performances. It also shows that both teams are high quality.
Tony de Zorzi, South Africa opener