Overview
- The three-match ODI series is level at 1-1, with the winner-takes-all third game at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium.
- KL Rahul chose to field after India won an ODI toss for the first time since the 2023 World Cup semifinal, snapping a streak of 20 straight losses.
- India made one change with Tilak Varma replacing Washington Sundar, whose limited bowling across the first two ODIs had drawn questions about his role.
- South Africa confirmed hamstring injuries for Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi and brought in Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman as replacements.
- Virat Kohli entered the decider on consecutive hundreds in Ranchi and Raipur, with dew considerations informing India’s plan to chase.