IND vs SA 1ST ODI 2025: Markram Wins Toss & Elects to Bowl in Ranchi – Ruturaj Debut, Rohit-Kohli Back!
India lose their 19th consecutive ODI toss! 🌧️ Dew expected in Ranchi
Ranchi, November 30, 2025 – The toss curse continues! India have now lost 19 straight ODI tosses as stand-in South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the coin flip and opted to bowl first in the decisive 3rd ODI at JSCA Stadium. With heavy dew expected in the second innings, both teams agreed chasing was the way to go.
KL Rahul continues as India captain (third different captain in three matches), while Temba Bavuma was rested due to illness, handing the reins to Aiden Markram.
Big News from Team India
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ruturaj Gaikwad (ODI Debut 🔥)
5. Washington Sundar
6. KL Rahul (c & wk)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Harshit Rana
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Prasidh Krishna
Massive boost: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return after being rested in the first two games. Ruturaj Gaikwad earns his maiden ODI cap, replacing Shreyas Iyer. Aggressive move – Harshit Rana at No.8 as the third seamer, with Washington Sundar stepping into the No.5 all-rounder role.
- Out: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy
- In: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Spin twins: Jadeja + Kuldeep + Washington
South Africa Go Attacking
1. Ryan Rickelton
2. Quinton de Kock (wk)
3. Aiden Markram (c)
4. Matthew Breetzke
5. Tony de Zorzi
6. Dewald Brevis
7. Marco Jansen
8. Corbin Bosch
9. Prenelan Subrayen
10. Nandre Burger
11. Ottneil Baartman
Temba Bavuma rested (unwell), Keshav Maharaj also sits out. SA load up with both QDK and Rickelton, plus young guns Brevis and Breetzke. Only two specialist spinners: Markram and Subrayen.
Key Battles to Watch
- Rohit Sharma vs Marco Jansen & Nandre Burger’s left-arm angle
- Virat Kohli vs Ottneil Baartman (who troubled him earlier)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad’s debut under pressure
- Kuldeep Yadav vs Dewald Brevis in the middle overs
- Dew factor: Will India’s 3 left-arm seamers (Jansen, Burger, Arshdeep) dominate?
Match Context
Series level 1-1 after South Africa won the opener and India stormed back in the second. Winner takes the trophy! Ranchi has historically favored chasing teams in night games due to heavy dew.
Pitch report: Flat deck, short boundaries, expect 350+ if batters get going.
Rohit + Kohli firepower vs SA’s aggressive bowling under dew
Drop your prediction below! 🏆
Match starts at 1:30 PM IST – Who are you backing? Team India or Proteas Fire? 🔥🇮🇳🇿🇦
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