India vs South Africa 3rd ODI LIVE Score: Virat Kohli On Verge Of Huge ‘All-Time’ Milestone; India Eye Series Win
India vs South Africa 3rd ODI LIVE: With the three-match ODI series currently locked at 1–1, Saturday’s third and final ODI between India national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag promises fireworks. The hosts will aim to avoid consecutive series defeats — especially after a disappointing Test series — while South Africa seeks to carry momentum from their dramatic second-ODI victory into a clean series win.
The build-up has reached fever pitch. Tickets for the match reportedly sold out within minutes, underscoring the excitement and demand to see star performances live.
Virat Kohli: On the Verge of All-Time Records
Back-to-Back Centuries — And More on the Line
Virat Kohli enters the final ODI in scintillating form, having smashed two consecutive hundreds: 135 in the opener at Ranchi, followed by 102 in Raipur. These tons have raised expectations sky-high for a third straight century.
At a glance, here are some of the landmarks Kohli could hit — and what they would mean:
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A score of 90+ runs would push him past 28,000 international runs, a staggering mark few have approached.
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A knock of 107 or more could elevate him to the second-highest all-time international run-scorer, eventually overtaking long-standing legends.
Vizag: A Favourite Hunting Ground
His record at ACA-VDCA Stadium speaks volumes. Over seven ODIs at the venue, Kohli has amassed 587 runs — including three centuries and two half-centuries — averaging a staggering 97.83.
In other words, the conditions, familiar surroundings, and crowd expectation all tilt in his favour. It’s no surprise that as he walks out for the final match, fans are hoping for history.
The Challenge: A Dangerous South African Lineup
South Africa will not go down quietly. The Proteas have shown tremendous fight and depth: in the second ODI, they chased down 359 — one of the highest successful chases in India — powered by aggressive batting from names almost across the board.
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Players like Aiden Markram (110), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis and others played integral roles in that run-chase.
With India’s bowlers under pressure and earlier strategies failing to contain the depth of South Africa’s batting, the onus will be on bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Ravindra Jadeja to rise up and deliver — especially with dew expected to play a role in evening conditions.
What India Must Do to Seal the Series
For India to turn the tide and clinch the series, several pieces need to click:
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A solid top-order foundation: With Kohli in form, a strong start will relieve pressure from the middle order.
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Disciplined bowling: Early breakthroughs and control in death overs will be crucial, given South Africa’s batting depth.
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Tactical acumen from the leadership: Given past criticism, the team management must choose the playing XI wisely and back players appropriately.
Recent comments from the coaching staff suggest a heightened sense of urgency and focus — India know they can’t afford complacency.
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Final Thoughts: A Historic Opportunity
The 3rd ODI in Vizag is more than just a decider — it’s a potential milestone day for Virat Kohli, and could well shape the narrative of this series. Whether it becomes a tale of individual brilliance, or a triumph of collective team effort — fans are in for a treat.
If Kohli converts — and India’s bowlers deliver — we might witness an epic chapter in the long rivalry between India and South Africa.
