India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI at Visakhapatnam, IND vs SA, Dec 06 2025 - Match Result

Thanks for tuning into ESPNcricinfo's coverage of the series. Alagappan Muthu and Firdose Moonda will be writing, check those pieces out. On behalf of Ashish, Ranjith and Sudeep, and everyone who helped bring this series to you. Goodbye and goodnight.

Rahul collects the trophy and is joined by his team-mates. Lots of smiles and laughs, a selfie with Arshdeep and Kohli later on as well.

KL Rahul, India captain I don't think the team has looked at me more proudly after the toss. We got tough conditions in the first two games, glad to give bowlers a break on a tough outfield. The surface was good, we picked wickets in bunches. We know with teams that go hard, it can be chasing 400 or playing one too many shots and getting out. Prasidh picked 2-3 wickets was crucial, then Kuldeep. That's how you contain teams in ODIs. QDK batted really well, he made 120 out of 180 odd. Was much tougher for newer batters, so his was a key wicket. Most pleasing thing has been how we've been able to handle pressure. In all games, SA batters have put us under pressure. One result didn't go our way, we're not thinking too much about it. Plans, processes have been consistent. Doing the same thing worked out today.

Virat Kohli, POTS Just playing the way I have this series has been the most satisfying for me. Feel really free in my mind, whole game is coming together nicely. I've tried to maintain my own standards and make an impact. I can bat long and according to the situation. You have many phases where you feel doubt. You feel nervous, especially in batting where one mistake can cost you. It's a whole journey, getting better, becoming a better person. I can realise the negative thinking patterns, knowing and working on that helps the temperament. I'm glad to still be contribute to the team. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. Just wanted to push my boundaries and go well. The first innings was the best this series. 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.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, POTM I really enjoyed, grateful and blessed. Rohit and I have chatted a lot on how we play and what tempo to go with. I've been unable to convert starts. I was only thinking of how to balance the innings. Sometimes I need to be more attacking and sometimes get singles and consolidate. I have to control my thoughts, where and what shots I can play. I need to go after bowlers, knowing when I need to do that helps. Once Virat paaji came in, he played a lot of shots. He helped me set targets as well.

Temba Bavuma, SA captain We wanted to make it a lot more exciting. We didn't have enough runs. It gets easier under lights, should've been smarter, save wickets. In the first ten with ball we were better, but they had no scoreboard pressure to work with. Kudos to India's batters who showed their quality. Guys have looked to take on spinners in the first two, conditions were different today. Never want to get all out in a fifty-over game. Couple of starts, QDK got a ton, I lost my way. Should've been smarter and will learn from the experience. We've grown. Got some young players, speak a lot on how we want to play and we've did that. We can only grow. If there were ten boxes, we've ticked off six or seven of them.

That interview means that someone else will likely be the POTM. Join us soon to find out who it is.

Prasidh Krishna It was really hard for me. There were poor balls and good shots. I had to think how to get back. That's the good thing about cricket, you get another chance. I tried to keep the ball at the stumps and bowl a good length. I wouldn't blame it on the dew or conditions. As players, we're expected to face tough challenges. A lot of credit goes to Arsh and Harshit, how they start. That builds pressure. Then Kuldeep picks up wickets, think we've done well as a bowling unit. I was under pressure after last game. The chat was about what to do better. I know the areas to bowl. It's a matter of keeping it simple and being calm. The batting has always been good. The way they did it was special.

Naman: "No guesses for Player of Series, looks like 2016 peak is here"

Ro: "This win reminds us of the times when a certain left hander (read Shikhar Dhawan), Rohit Sharma and VK used to win matches for India with 9 wickets!!!"

Rashesh : "Loved the way Kohli pushed Jaiswal to lead the way to the pavilion "

Sarhish: "Bavuma's first defeat in this tour"

8:40pm Jaiswal is pumped, it's business as usual for Kohli. Both batters then smile as they chat their way back. A no-show in the chase. The game was all India's since Prasidh made those strikes in the middle overs in the first dig. Rohit and Jaiswal started slow and kept the tempo rising. Once the canter started, it never stopped. The bowling was reduced to a footnote. There was dew as well, but as Deep said below, there was a display of the gulf between the sides. Jaiswal made his maiden ton, Kohli thumped one of his most fluent fifties to complete a 2-1 series-sealing win.

Deep: "Bowling with a wet ball is a skill in itself. How close India ran SA in both the matches shows the gulf in skills"

MC: "Who is getting named PotM today? Jaiswal? Kuldeep? Krishna? My money's on Prasidh." Same

One, maybe two more overs to go

Remil: "This is the best I have seen Kohli bat for a long long time.. "

Harish: "Jaisball triumphs Bazball today!! " On unrelated circumstances, yes

Venky : "Absolute Beast!!"

Huge cheers of Kohli, Kohli

Surath: "I am sure we will see the first ever 300 individual score by Jaiswal before he retire.."

Ekanth will close the match and series

Srinath: "I think Jaiswal's ability for daddy hundreds will soon help him break the holy grail of batting trifecta- 100 in T20, 200 in ODIs and 300 in tests. Only Gayle so far has been able to do it f"