India's Tour Of South Africa 2023-24, 3rd ODI: Three Key Player Battles To Watch Out For In IND Vs RSA Cricket Match

India take on South Africa in the third and final ODI on Thursday, December 21 at Boland Park in Paarl. With all to play for, here's a look at the three key player battles that could define the outcome of the IND vs RSA cricket match

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 20 December 2023 3:40 pm

India vs South Africa: 2nd ODI

With the third and final ODI set to be played out at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday, December 21; both teams will look to get things right coming into this game. In the 1st ODI, Indian bowlers stood tall as they bowled out the home side for a paltry 116 and won the game quite comfortably with a 8-wicket win in Johannesburg. (Match Blog | Scorecard | Streaming | Full Coverage)

In the 2nd ODI, Nandre Burger scalped three as Indian batting collapsed for 212 as Proteas rode on Tony de Zorzi's unbeaten 119 and handing them a crucial eight-wicket win.

With the attention now turning to Paarl, the wicket would play a crucial role as well as some of the player's performances. Here are the three key battles for the third and final ODI between South Africa and India:

1) Sai Sudharsan vs Nandre Burger

Sai Sudharsan bats during the 2nd India vs South Africa ODI in Gqeberha. AP

A fifty on debut and another one in the 2nd ODI, Sai Sudharsan has a memorable outing in South Africa so far. In two games, he has managed to score 117 runs and continues to impress with his cool and calm personality at the crease. However, Proteas bowler Nandre Burger is on a roll after his three-wicket burst at Gqeberha. His duel with Sudharsan at Paarl will be one to watch out for as both the in-form players will look to make the most of it and give their team the upper-hand.

2) Tony de Zorzi vs Arshdeep Singh

South Africas Tony de Zorzi raises his bat as he celebrates after reaching 50 runs during the second One Day International cricket match between South Africa and India, at the St Georges Park in Gqeberha, South Africa. Photo: AP/PTI

Arshdeep Singh was on fire at Johannesburg with his five-wicket haul as he decimated the South African top-order in the 1st ODI. However, the home side struck back at Gqeberha with a sensational 119 from Tony de Zorzi, who scored his maiden international ton. De Zorzi will be high on confidence coming into the Paarl ODI but Arshdeep will have a point to prove after being battered in the second ODI. The clash between these two will be one mouth-watering affair and cannot be missed out on.

3) Keshav Maharaj vs Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh departs for 17 in the 2nd India vs South Africa ODI in Gqeberha. AP

South Africa's ace spinner Keshav Maharaj has had a quiet ODI series so far with just two wickets to his name. However, his wicket of Rinku Singh in the 2nd ODI was a game-changer as the Indian batter was looking set and had already whacked two fours and a maximum. However, Rinku would look for retribution at Paarl as he would look to 'settle the score' against one of the most skillful bowler in white-ball cricket.