271/1 (39.5)
CRR : 6.80
270/10 (47.5)
CRR : 5.64
India won by 9 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
116(121)
Virat Kohli (Player of the Series): "Well, honestly. Just playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me. I don't think I have played at this level for 2 to 3 years now. I feel really free in my mind, the whole game coming together nicely. Very exciting to build on, something I always try to do as a player. Kind of maintain my own standards and play at a level where I can make an impact for the team. I know when I can bat like that, I know I can bat long and bat according to the situation, just to be confident, just to know whatever the situation is, I have what it takes to bring it back into the favour of the team.
Well of course, when you play for that long 15-16 years, you will have many phases where you doubt yourself. Especially as a batter because you are literally relying on one mistake. You tend to go into a place where you feel like maybe I am not good enough. That's the beauty of sports, especially a skill like batting, where you have to overcome that fear, play that long innings. Get into a zone to play confidently. It is like a whole journey of learning and becoming better as a person. I can vouch for the fact that being a batter, what kind of thinking negative factors I have where I don't feel confident, what are the small details. It improves you as a person and it improves your temperament as well.
I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team. I have had many phases where I have doubted myself. I haven't been shy to admit that, I think it is pretty human to feel like that. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. Just wanted to push my own boundaries and see where I can go.
I think the first one in Ranchi. I hadn't played since Australia, just the energy on the day helps take risks. That opened me up in a way I've not felt in a while. Grateful for how the games have gone. Must-win brings the best out of us. I want to make a play. Happy Rohit and I can help the team even now."
Well of course, when you play for that long 15-16 years, you will have many phases where you doubt yourself. Especially as a batter because you are literally relying on one mistake. You tend to go into a place where you feel like maybe I am not good enough. That's the beauty of sports, especially a skill like batting, where you have to overcome that fear, play that long innings. Get into a zone to play confidently. It is like a whole journey of learning and becoming better as a person. I can vouch for the fact that being a batter, what kind of thinking negative factors I have where I don't feel confident, what are the small details. It improves you as a person and it improves your temperament as well.
I'm just glad that I'm still able to contribute to the team. I have had many phases where I have doubted myself. I haven't been shy to admit that, I think it is pretty human to feel like that. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. Just wanted to push my own boundaries and see where I can go.
I think the first one in Ranchi. I hadn't played since Australia, just the energy on the day helps take risks. That opened me up in a way I've not felt in a while. Grateful for how the games have gone. Must-win brings the best out of us. I want to make a play. Happy Rohit and I can help the team even now."
Most Player of the Series Award in ODIs:
14 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
11 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/Sri Lanka), Virat Kohli (India)*
8 - Chris Gayle (ICC/West Indies), Shaun Pollock (Africa/ICC/South Africa)
14 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
11 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/Sri Lanka), Virat Kohli (India)*
8 - Chris Gayle (ICC/West Indies), Shaun Pollock (Africa/ICC/South Africa)
KL Rahul (India's Skipper): "Honestly, I’ve probably never received so many smiles and pats on the back just for winning a toss. The boys were genuinely proud of me, and I don’t think it has ever been for anything quite as simple before. But yes, it was an important toss to win.
The first two games were quite challenging with the wet outfield, so it felt good to finally give the bowlers the advantage. I still think it was a really good wicket today, but the difference was how we picked up wickets in clusters.
With teams like South Africa who go really hard, it can easily become a 380-400 game, or they can end up playing one shot too many. We managed to squeeze well in the middle overs - Prasidh coming back with that spell and picking two or three was massive, and then Kuldeep getting two in one over really shifted the game.
In ODI cricket, that’s the only real way to stop momentum, and you have to take wickets. Quinton de Kock was definitely a huge wicket. The way he was batting - when he got out, he was already past 100, and it showed how tough the wicket was for new batters coming in. Removing him at that stage really opened the door for us.
What makes me happiest about this series is how we handled pressure. In all three games, their batters walked in with intent and tried to put us on the back foot, but the way our bowlers kept their nerve and stuck to their plans was outstanding.
One result didn’t go our way earlier, but we still believed in the processes, and today everything came together. So yeah, really pleased with the effort and happy things fell into place, including the toss."
The first two games were quite challenging with the wet outfield, so it felt good to finally give the bowlers the advantage. I still think it was a really good wicket today, but the difference was how we picked up wickets in clusters.
With teams like South Africa who go really hard, it can easily become a 380-400 game, or they can end up playing one shot too many. We managed to squeeze well in the middle overs - Prasidh coming back with that spell and picking two or three was massive, and then Kuldeep getting two in one over really shifted the game.
In ODI cricket, that’s the only real way to stop momentum, and you have to take wickets. Quinton de Kock was definitely a huge wicket. The way he was batting - when he got out, he was already past 100, and it showed how tough the wicket was for new batters coming in. Removing him at that stage really opened the door for us.
What makes me happiest about this series is how we handled pressure. In all three games, their batters walked in with intent and tried to put us on the back foot, but the way our bowlers kept their nerve and stuck to their plans was outstanding.
One result didn’t go our way earlier, but we still believed in the processes, and today everything came together. So yeah, really pleased with the effort and happy things fell into place, including the toss."
Most Player of the Series Awards Across Formats:
20* - Virat Kohli (India)
19 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
17 - Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
20* - Virat Kohli (India)
19 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
17 - Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Most Runs in a 3-match ODI series against South Africa:
302 – Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Away, 2021
302 – Virat Kohli (India), Home, 2025*
261 – Jos Buttler (England), Away, 2023
235 – Saim Ayub (Pakistan), Away, 2024
233 – Ricky Ponting (Australia), Away, 2006
302 – Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Away, 2021
302 – Virat Kohli (India), Home, 2025*
261 – Jos Buttler (England), Away, 2023
235 – Saim Ayub (Pakistan), Away, 2024
233 – Ricky Ponting (Australia), Away, 2006
Oldest Indian to win the Player of the Series Award in ODIs:
38y 178d – Rohit Sharma (vs Australia)
37y 194d – MS Dhoni (vs Australia)
37y 190d – Sunil Gavaskar (vs Sri Lanka)
37y 31d – Virat Kohli (vs South Africa)*
36y 309d – Sachin Tendulkar (vs South Africa)
38y 178d – Rohit Sharma (vs Australia)
37y 194d – MS Dhoni (vs Australia)
37y 190d – Sunil Gavaskar (vs Sri Lanka)
37y 31d – Virat Kohli (vs South Africa)*
36y 309d – Sachin Tendulkar (vs South Africa)
The moment the trophy was handed over, the stadium filled with excitement. KL Rahul, the winning captain, accepted the trophy with a big, happy smile, showing how proud the whole Indian team felt. On the other side, the camera showed South African captain Temba Bavuma, who looked calm and serious - a quiet sign of disappointment after the loss. After receiving the trophy, Rahul walked back to his teammates standing behind the winners' board, all ready for photos. He then gave the trophy to young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who lifted it high with pride and excitement as the stadium lights reflected off its shining surface. The whole team gathered together for the official winning picture.
During the photo session, you could clearly see the strong bond and friendship in the Indian squad. Virat Kohli, always full of energy, kept cracking jokes and making everyone laugh, especially Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, who couldn’t stop smiling. After the first round of photos, the head coach and support staff joined the players, so everyone who contributed to the win could be part of the celebration picture. It was a perfect moment of joy, teamwork, and achievement.
And that is a wrap-up from this exciting series. However, there is a 5-match T20I series scheduled on this tour, with the first match starting on Tuesday, 9th December. Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Ajay Pal Singh, scorer Manish Bishnoi, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!
And that is a wrap-up from this exciting series. However, there is a 5-match T20I series scheduled on this tour, with the first match starting on Tuesday, 9th December. Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Ajay Pal Singh, scorer Manish Bishnoi, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!