India celebrated a stunning series-clinching victory against South Africa in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, thanks to phenomenal performances from Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal. With a dominant win by 9 wickets and 10 overs to spare in the decisive third ODI at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, India sealed the series 2-1.
Virat Kohli Reaches Peak Form After Three Years
For the first time in over three years, Virat Kohli rediscovered his peak batting form, walking away with the Player of the Series award after amassing a remarkable 302 runs across the series. Kohli’s tally included two centuries and an unbeaten half-century, achieving a stunning average of 151.
The 37-year-old former captain displayed his trademark composure in the series finale, guiding India to chase 271 with ease. Kohli’s 65-run innings off just 45 balls, featuring three massive sixes, capped a phenomenal performance, culminating in him hitting the winning runs by charging confidently down the pitch.
Reflecting on his performance, Kohli shared:
“Honestly, playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me. I feel free in my mind, and the whole game is coming together nicely.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal Shines With Maiden ODI Century
The 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal also delivered a career-defining performance, scoring his maiden ODI hundred and cementing his reputation as a rising star in Indian cricket. Jaiswal’s innings provided the perfect foundation alongside Rohit Sharma’s 75-run knock.
After a steady start, Jaiswal accelerated brilliantly after reaching his fifty, smashing consecutive boundaries to take India closer to the target with ease. His century also marks a milestone as he now has tons in all three international formats.
Rohit Sharma Hits 20,000 International Runs
Veteran opener Rohit Sharma played another key role in India’s batting line-up, scoring a crucial 75 runs in the series-deciding match. During this innings, Rohit surpassed 20,000 international runs, becoming only the fourth Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid to achieve this incredible milestone.
Bowling Brilliance Seals India’s Victory
India’s bowlers were equally decisive in the series finale. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna shared the spoils by taking four wickets each, dismissing South Africa for 270 runs in 47.5 overs.
South Africa looked promising after Quinton de Kock scored a brilliant 106 off 89 balls and put on 113 runs with captain Temba Bavuma, who added 48. However, India’s disciplined bowling attack triggered a collapse, showcasing their depth and skill in the ODI format.
With this win, India also broke a long-standing ODI toss jinx, with skipper KL Rahul winning the toss after 20 consecutive losses and electing to bowl first—a strategic decision that proved crucial.
Kohli on Confidence and Overcoming Doubts
Kohli, who retired from Test and T20 internationals, opened up about the mental challenges faced by even the most experienced players:
“You tend to go into a space where you feel like, ‘Maybe I’m not good enough.’ The nerves take over, but the beauty of batting is overcoming that fear and building long innings.”
The former captain emphasized how maintaining confidence allows players to adapt to situations and make an impact for the team—a lesson he clearly applied in this series.
Looking Ahead: T20 Series in Cuttack
Following the ODI triumph, India and South Africa will now turn their attention to a five-match T20 series starting Tuesday in Cuttack. With veterans like Kohli and Rohit focusing on the 50-over format, the team’s momentum in limited-overs cricket is strong.
The ODI series win also serves as redemption for India after being whitewashed 2-0 in the Test series against South Africa, highlighting the team’s resilience and adaptability across formats.
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