The third one-day international (ODI) between India and South Africa will take place today (December 6) at Visakhapatnam’s Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. It is a series decider because both sides won a match before to this one. The home team won by 17 runs in Ranchi to start the three-match ODI series, but the visitors tied things up with a four-wicket triumph in Raipur.
The season finale happens in the harbour city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is the most recent ODI venue situated in the city after hosting a match between India and Australia on 19 March 2023. The test was a one-sided affair as the home team batsmen faced very bad times against Australian pacers.
The visiting captain, Steve Smith, won the toss and elected to field first in the game. To set the trend for both teams, left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc claimed a two-ball duck as India opener Shubman Gill was caught at second slip on the third ball of his first over. He then destroyed the opponents to wreck their batting lineup as he picked up 5 wickets. Consequently, the Men in Blue were bundled out for only 117 runs off just 26 overs. Virat Kohli was their top-scorer with 31 (35).
The Australian openers Travis Head (51) and Mitchell Marsh (66) then clobbered a brutal half-century each to guide their side to an easy 121/0 in 11 overs and complete victory. Player of the match was Starc for his first-innings bowling.
India’s overall ODI record in Visakhapatnam
India has a decent record in ODIs played in Visakhapatnam. Over the course of 10 games, the hosts won seven and lost two. One game concluded without a result.
It has also been an inviting hunting ground for Virat Kohli, who has scored 587 runs in seven matches at an average of 97.83 with three centuries and two fifties.
India will be eager to beat South Africa in the ODI series and bag the trophy by winning the decider on Saturday, after losing the Test series.
