"He had a good day as captain" - Former India pacer hails KL Rahul's leadership in IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan highlighted KL Rahul's bowling changes, which played a crucial role in restricting South Africa to 270 in the series decider at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag on Saturday, December 6. The stand-in skipper was at his astute best as he maneuvered the likes of Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav to trigger collapses in the opposition batting unit.

KL Rahul delivered early on in the contest by winning the toss, ending India's miserable two-year run with the coin, and opted to bowl first. At one stage, South Africa were in a commanding position through Quinton de Kock, before Prasidh Krishna's triple strike crippled the Proteas.

To make matters worse for the visitors, Kuldeep Yadav ran through the lower middle order to leave them in a tricky spot. The aforementioned bowlers had a field day as they picked up four wickets each to bowl the opposition out with more than two overs to spare.

Zaheer Khan praised KL Rahul for Prasidh Krishna's second spell in the middle overs, and saving Kuldeep Yadav's overs for the back end of the innings.

"When you look at how the game unfolded, you have to make a few decision proactively as the game goes on, and when Prasidh's spell went for a few more than he would have liked, then quickly understanding that you need the sixth bowling option. That is a good decision he made I felt. And also, bringing Arshdeep Singh earlier. Also keeping five overs of Kuldeep at that stage as an attacking option. So, I think he had a good day as a captain," Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

Zaheer Khan further stated that Kuldeep Yadav's impressive record against South Africa played a massive factor in the proceedings. Prior to this contest, the Indian left-arm spinner had taken 32 wickets in 15 outings against them at an average of 18.50 and an economy of 5.02.

"Kuldeep is well aware of the fact that South African batters are very shaky when it comes to facing him. That's the way you see the Indian team use his services, that one window from 35-45 overs where batters can look to go hard if they have a strong platform. Kuldeep can turn things around in that phase," the former India pacer added.

"Today was a classic example of that. 218 at 35 overs with five overs of Kuldeep left. Then Kuldeep responding in this fashion, clearly having an impact on the total South Africa set. We are talking about close to 50 runs here, which is a huge margin in this format. Kuldeep has done his job tremendously," he continued.

Kuldeep Yadav ended up being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-41 off his 10 overs. He dismissed Dewald Brevis and Marco Jansen in a single over, before getting the better of Corbin Bosch and Lungi Ngidi as well to finish his spell on a high.

"Being involved in every delivery which is bowled on the field" - Zaheer Khan praises Virat Kohli's energy for India on the field during IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Team India ace batter Virat Kohli has been an animated figure and at his vibrant best over the course of the series so far. Right from fiery celebrations after scoring hundreds and expressing himself after the fall of an opposition wicket, he has turned the clock back in more than one way.

Even in the third ODI, he was in the thick of it, with his gestures and conversations on the field. He was spotted in several jovial moments throughout the innings, and was even dancing with Kuldeep Yadav as the team awaited the third umpire's call for a decision.

"I think it is just about enjoying the game. If you ask him, he is going to reply in the exact same fashion. For him, certain things are very important, he keeps talking about those things, being on the field, giving his 120 percent, which means being involved in every delivery which is bowled on the field. He's always looked at the game in that way, so things are not going to change for him in that regard. He is in a good zone right now, having scored back-to-back hundreds, so I think it is about hitting that zone again," Zaheer Khan said.

The ace player, who has struck consecutive hundreds in the series so far, is likely to play a massive role in the run chase to seal the series in India's favor.