FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsTeam India were expected to bounce back in the second ODI, after a disappointing showing in the first, but anticlimax ensued in Paarl as South Africa dominated the contest from start to finish to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The result at Boland Park means that the third ODI will be a dead rubber. With the series not a part of the ODI Super League, South Africa, too, have nothing to play for.
Head-to-Head
86 | India 35 | South Africa 48 | No Result 3
Last five matches H2H
India 2 | South Africa 2 | No Result 1
Ground Details
The third and final ODI will be played at Newlands, Cape Town, and it is a venue where South Africa have enjoyed a lot of success of late. Since 2016, 7 ODIs have been played at the venue, and the Proteas have managed to win six of them. However, notably, the only defeat in this period came against India in the last tour, with the Men in Blue registering a handsome 124-run win.
Newlands, in the past 6 years, has been a surprisingly high-scoring venue. Since 2016 the average first-batting score at the venue has been 279, with average winning score batting first being a staggering 332. The last ODI at the venue was played two years ago, and in that the Proteas managed to successfully chase down the 258 that was posted by England. We saw 280+ scores twice in Paarl, so expect another high-scoring encounter on Sunday.
On the bowling front, the wicket in recent years has offered something for both pacers and spinners. Although 63 of the 92 wickets that have fallen since 2016 have been picked by pacers, spinners have also managed to take 31.5% of the wickets. Tabraiz Shamsi took a three-wicket haul in the last ODI played at this venue, while in the last H2H game at this venue, Chahal and Kuldeep took 8 wickets between them. Weirdly enough, one suspects a turning wicket, going by this series’ trends, will favor South Africa, if anything.
Suggested Team
The team we've picked has a mix of quality batters and bowlers suited to the conditions. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Choice of Captain
Quinton de Kock bagged the Man of the Match award in the 2nd ODI through a sizzling 66-ball 78, and for the third ODI, he is our choice of captain. De Kock has three 80+ scores in his last 4 ODIs, and he also struck a ton in the last ODI he played in Cape Town.
Criclytics projects de Kock to score between 49 and 73 runs in the third ODI.
X-factors
Rassie van der Dussen is yet to be dismissed in this series, and he has, by some distance, been the best batter across both sides. He is in red-hot form, and in the 2nd ODI he backed up his ton in the first with a crucial 37* that took South Africa over the line. He is a must-pick.
Criclytics projects van der Dussen to score between 31-47 runs in the third ODI.
Tabraiz Shamsi has 4 wickets to his name in this series, and he has posed a major threat to the Indian batters in this series thus far. With the pitch expected to assist spin, the 31-year-old will be a handful and will undoubtedly make life hell for the Indian batters.
Criclytics projects Shamsi to take between 0-1 wickets in the final ODI.
Rishabh Pant has three fifties in his last 4 ODIs, and in the second ODI he played a sizzling knock that nearly proved to be the point of difference. He is quickly becoming an irresistible x-factor in ODI cricket, and there’s a good chance he might hurt South Africa in the final ODI on Sunday, given he’ll have a free hand to play his way.
Criclytics projects Pant to score between 40-60 runs in the third ODI.
Probable XIs
India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
South Africa: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi