Overview
- Stand-in captain KL Rahul chose to field after training suggested dew would arrive later than in Ranchi and Raipur.
- The toss win ended India’s 20-match ODI drought at the toss, their first since the 2023 World Cup semifinal.
- India made one change with Tilak Varma replacing Washington Sundar, who had bowled only seven overs across the first two ODIs.
- Cricket South Africa confirmed hamstring injuries for Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi, with Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman drafted in.
- Virat Kohli enters the decider on back-to-back centuries and eyes a hat-trick at a venue where he averages 97.83 in ODIs.