"Batters don't forget even more" - Zaheer Khan's huge claim on Team India star after IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan believes young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal would have been well aware of his struggles against left-arm pacers coming into the final ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. The southpaw endured a poor home Test series against the Proteas before the ODIs, with left-arm pacer Marco Jansen dismissing him in three out of the four innings.

Jaiswal's struggles against that bowling style continued in the first two ODIs, with Nandre Burger and Jansen getting the better of him. However, the 23-year-old finally overcame the frailties and scored a match-winning century in the ODI series decider.

It was Jaiswal's maiden ODI ton, helping India chase down 271 in under 40 overs with nine wickets in hand.

Talking about Jaiswal's continued struggles against left-arm pace, Zaheer said on Cricbuzz (4:06):

"Yashasvi clearly had a plan on how he's going to tackle it (struggles vs left-arm pacers). These numbers we speak about but the batters don't forget even more. So he was prepared that way. It's good to see the top-order batter getting a hundred. Because that's the culture you want if you want to be a consistent ODI side. The top 3 or 4 batters, when it's your day, you have to make it count."

He added:

"So this century is going to go a long way for Yashasvi. Though you started the series with not many runs, if you are finishing strong, then it'll definitely give you that uplift."

Jaiswal had struggled up to this point in ODIs, averaging under 19 in his first three matches before the Visakhapatnam onslaught.

"They were like 'Been there, done that, here we go again'" - Zaheer Khan on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Zaheer Khan hailed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their telling contributions in India's victory in the series decider against the Proteas. Chasing 271 for victory, the latter set the tone with an eye-catching 73-ball 75.

Kohli joined the party late with only 116 runs required for the win, scoring a quickfire 45-ball 65*.

"They were like 'Been there, done that, here we go again'. It was only about getting your innings going, given their heaps of experience. It was just about getting into the mold again, and both these guys have done tremendously well in this series," said Zaheer (via the aforementioned source).

Zaheer believes the duo will have ample time to prepare for their next assignment, which will be the home ODI series against New Zealand in January.

"They'll play next in January only so there is enough time to prepare in between and be fresh and ready. That's how these two are looking at this format now. In international cricket, you have to go the distance that way in terms of preparation, and both these guys are seasoned enough players to know exactly what it takes," he concluded.

Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Series for his 302 runs at an average of 151, including two centuries. Meanwhile, Rohit impressed with two half-centuries, finishing with 146 runs at an average of almost 49.