South Africa have suffered a major setback ahead of the 3rd ODI against India, with premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a rib injury sustained earlier on the tour. The Proteas confirmed that Rabada has not recovered enough to take part in the final ODI, extending his absence from the Eden Gardens Test as well.
Rabada picked up the injury during South Africa’s first training session in India on Tuesday, following which he underwent scans. Although he attended the next day’s training, his discomfort persisted. On the morning of the first Test, Rabada underwent a fitness test but experienced pain, forcing a late decision to withdraw him from the match. Since then, he has stayed out of full-intensity training and remains under assessment.
A decision on his availability for the second Test in Guwahati remains pending.
With South Africa already lacking depth in their pace department — especially after leaving out Lungi Ngidi for subcontinent tours — Rabada’s injury has left the team thin on seam options. Corbin Bosch was drafted into the XI as his replacement in the Test, joining Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.
The Proteas are in India for another Test, three ODIs, and five T20Is over the next five weeks. Rabada is expected to be part of the T20I squad for World Cup preparation, provided his recovery progresses on time.
In the spotlight: Virat Kohli and Marco Jansen
Virat Kohli enters the 3rd ODI in extraordinary form, having recorded back-to-back centuries 11 times in his career — and converting one such run into a hat-trick of tons. With three centuries in a single week and a phenomenal record at Visakhapatnam, Kohli returns to one of his favourite venues boasting:
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4 ODI hundreds
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1 Test hundred
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An ODI average of 97.83
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299 Test runs at the venue for just three dismissals
Given the rhythm he has struck in this series, few would bet against another monumental Kohli innings.
Marco Jansen, meanwhile, continues to evolve as a genuine all-rounder. But in his primary role as a bowler, he aims for more impact after managing four wickets at an average of 34.75 and an economy of 6.95 so far. If Nandre Burger fails to recover, Jansen may take the new ball, tasked with applying early pressure on Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Team news: Burger, de Zorzi doubtful
India are unlikely to tinker with their XI after a win and a narrow loss — both in matches where they lost the toss. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s brilliant century and the team’s overall balance mean changes appear unnecessary. Prasidh Krishna has been expensive, but India do not have an additional specialist seamer in the squad.
India (probable XI):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (capt & wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
For South Africa, two hamstring injuries in the second ODI — to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi — mean both are likely to miss the third match. Hamstrings rarely recover in a matter of days, so Ottneil Baartman and Ryan Rickelton are expected to come in.
South Africa (probable XI):
Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
Pitch and conditions
Visakhapatnam has produced drastically different surfaces in recent years — from India’s 387 vs West Indies (2019) to being bowled out for 117 vs Australia (2023). This time, with uninterrupted pitch preparation and warm but pleasant conditions, a batting-friendly surface similar to the former appears likely. Expect high scores and favourable stroke-making conditions.
