KL Rahul Celebrates India's Series Victory Over South Africa

In a thrilling conclusion to the series, India emerged victorious against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Captain KL Rahul expressed pride in the team's performance, especially after breaking a long toss loss streak. With standout performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, and bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav, India successfully chased down a target of 271 runs. This article delves into the match highlights and Rahul's reflections on the team's resilience under pressure. Discover how India dominated the series and what this victory means for the players moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 7, 2025, 02:16 IST

India's Triumph in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) witnessed a remarkable performance as India secured a series victory against South Africa. Following the match, captain KL Rahul expressed his satisfaction in giving the bowlers a much-needed respite on a challenging outfield. He humorously noted that the team had never looked at him with such pride after he ended a streak of 20 consecutive toss losses in ODIs.

With fortune finally favoring India at the toss, they opted to field first against the Proteas. Despite Quinton de Kock's impressive century, South Africa struggled, with Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav each claiming four wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal, alongside Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, propelled India to a target of 271 runs in just 39.5 overs, benefiting from favorable conditions without the dew factor.

In the post-match press conference, KL Rahul remarked, "I don't think the team has looked at me more proudly than after the toss. We faced tough conditions in the first two games; I'm glad to give the bowlers a break on a tough outfield. The surface was good, and we picked wickets in clusters. We know that teams that go hard can chase down 400 or play too many shots and get out. Prasidh picking two or three wickets was crucial, then Kuldeep. That is how you contain teams in ODIs. QDK (Quinton de Kock) batted really well."

KL further emphasized that the way the team managed pressure throughout the series was particularly gratifying for him. "In all games, SA batters have put us under pressure. One result (at Raipur, SA chasing down 359) did not go our way, but we are not dwelling on it. Our plans and processes have remained consistent, and doing the same thing worked out today," he concluded.

In the match, India won the toss and chose to field first. The Proteas lost Ryan Rickelton for a duck, but a solid 113-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (106 off 89 balls, including eight fours and six sixes) and captain Temba Bavuma (48 off 67 balls, with five fours) followed.

Quinton also formed a 54-run partnership with Matthew Breetzke (24 off 23 balls, with two sixes), but the Proteas faltered, losing five wickets for 199 runs, with Prasidh Krishna (4/66) wreaking havoc. Dewald Brevis (29 off 29 balls, with two fours and a six) and Marco Jansen (17 off 15 balls, with two fours) attempted a counter-attack, but Kuldeep's excellent spell (4/41) led to South Africa being bowled out for 270 in 47.5 overs from a promising position of 234/5.

India successfully chased down the target in 39.5 overs, with Rohit Sharma scoring 75 off 73 balls, forming a 155-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who celebrated his maiden ODI century with an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes. Jaiswal also shared another century partnership with Virat Kohli, who finished with 65 not out off 45 balls, including six fours and three sixes, concluding the series on a high note.