The excitement around the India–South Africa ODI series has reached its peak. India won the first match, South Africa struck back in the second, and the series now stands perfectly poised at 1-1. On December 6, the third and final ODI at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam will decide the winner.

India will look to extend their dominance over South Africa in home ODIs, while the visitors are chasing a rare opportunity. South Africa have not won an ODI series in India for the past decade, and this decider gives them a chance to rewrite history.

Will Rohit and Virat seal the series?

Whenever there is a high-pressure decider, the spotlight inevitably shifts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their track record in ODI series deciders is the biggest reason South Africa will be wary.

Rohit Sharma has scored 791 runs in 15 innings in ODI deciders. He averages 52.73, with a highest score of 209 not out. His tally includes three centuries and three half-centuries. Whether India are setting a big total or chasing one, Rohit has repeatedly delivered when the stakes are at their highest.

Virat Kohli’s numbers in decisive matches are equally impressive. He has scored 595 runs in 14 such innings at an average of 42.50. His best score is 113, and his record includes one century and five fifties. Kohli’s value increases even more when India are chasing; pressure situations have brought out the best in him throughout his career.

Kohli’s form in this series has been exceptional. He has scored 237 runs in the first two matches at an average of 118.50. He is the only batsman to cross the 200-run mark in the series, and no other player has even reached 150. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has contributed 71 runs in two matches, including a half-century.

With both seniors carrying strong decider records, India’s hopes of sealing the series once again revolve around the Rohit–Virat axis. If either of them gets going in Visakhapatnam, South Africa could be in for a long evening.