South Africa suffered huge injury problems as a young pacer and an all-format middle-order hitter were ruled out of the upcoming T20I series. Alongside them, Nandre Burger will also miss the ODI series decider against India.
After winning the Test series in India, the Proteas looked very confident as they arrived for the white-ball series. Despite a strong fightback, they lost the opening ODI in Ranchi but came back stronger to level the series in Raipur. Now, the final ODI of the series in Vishakhapatnam will be the deciding factor between the two giants of world cricket.
India, on the other hand, would also be aiming for their first win in a bilateral ODI series since the ICC Champions Trophy triumph. The only ODI series they have played since then was against Australia last month, which ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat for the Men in Blue, and so they would be ready to bounce back this time.
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South Africa suffers from injuries
The latest news from the South African dressing room brings sad news for Proteas fans as some of their cricketers have been ruled out due to injuries. Left-handed batter Tony de Zorzi, who limped off the field in the last match, has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series and the third match in Vishakhapatnam.
Apart from the left-handed batter, Nandre Burger will also miss the final ODI of the series, and Kwena Maphaka, the young left-arm pace sensation, will miss the T20I series following a hamstring injury similar to that of Tony de Zorzi.
Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and striker Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against India due to hamstring injuries. Along with de Zorzi, Nandre Burger will also miss today’s ODI series decider #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/r0EHydMlQa
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 6, 2025
South Africa brings back Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman for Vishakhapatnam
For the first time in this series and after a long wait of 20 matches, India finally won the toss in Vishakhapatnam. KL Rahul opted to bowl first and said India just couldn’t wait to try the ball.
South Africa replaced injured striker Tony de Zorzi with Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton has not been consistent in the Protea top order since Quinton de Kock made his return to international white-ball cricket after calling off his retirement.
On the other hand, Ottneil Baartman, who played for the Proteas in the first ODI, was ruled out for the second ODI but returned to replace the injured Nandre Burger in the playing XI for the series decider on the East Coast.
India bring in extra batter for decider in Vishakhapatnam
After winning the toss, Indian skipper KL Rahul revealed the only change India made in their playing XI in the series. Washington Sundar was dropped for the final ODI, and instead, Tilak Varma was given a place in the ODI XI.
Washington Sundar could not justify his role in the XI, as he was in no way effective with bat and ball and was a poor choice at number 1. 5. In the absence of Axar Patel, Sundar made it to the XI, but he has now been replaced by a specialist batter.
India, however, has not considered giving Rishabh Pant a chance to return to white-ball cricket, although he continues to be the team’s second-choice keeper.
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