As India prepares to face South Africa in the third and deciding ODI of the ongoing multi-format series, all eyes are on the Men in Blue and the lineup they might field in this crucial clash. With the series level at 1-1, the contest at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 6 promises high stakes and intense competition.

Series So Far

India began the series on a strong note with a win in the first ODI in Ranchi. However, South Africa bounced back in commanding fashion in the second ODI at Raipur, producing an all-round performance to draw level.

With momentum currently shifting between both sides, the third ODI becomes the ultimate decider, adding an extra layer of pressure and excitement.

Will India Make Changes for the Series Decider?

After India’s loss in the second ODI, discussions have intensified around potential changes in the playing XI. While most of the squad is expected to remain unchanged, one name stands out for a possible swap.

Prasidh Krishna Under Pressure

Pacer Prasidh Krishna struggled heavily in the second ODI, conceding 85 runs and failing to provide breakthroughs. His performance could open the door for Nitish Kumar Reddy, the dynamic all-rounder who has impressed with both bat and ball in domestic circuits.

Adding a seam-bowling all-rounder could offer India additional balance—crucial in deciders where depth and versatility matter.

India’s Predicted Playing XI for the 3rd ODI

Based on current form, team combinations, and conditions in Visakhapatnam, India may opt for the following lineup:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Rohit Sharma (C)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ruturaj Gaikwad
5. Washington Sundar
6. KL Rahul (WK)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Nitish Kumar Reddy (likely replacement for Prasidh Krishna)
9. Harshit Rana
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Arshdeep Singh

Key Factors to Watch

1. Opening Pair Stability

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal have the potential to give India an explosive start but will need to convert early momentum into a solid platform.

2. Middle-Order Resilience

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul remain central to India’s batting. Their form could dictate the pace and direction of the innings.

3. Bowling Comeback

With South Africa’s strong showing in the second ODI, the Indian bowling unit—especially the spinners—will need to bring their best to restrict the Proteas.

4. All-Round Impact

Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja could be crucial, offering both stability in the middle overs and depth in batting.

Conclusion

With the series in balance and the final ODI set to be a thriller, India’s team selection will play a decisive role. Whether India sticks to the core combination or brings in Nitish Kumar Reddy for a tactical tweak may determine the direction of the decider.

The Men in Blue will be looking to capitalize on home conditions, correct the mistakes from Raipur, and clinch the series with confidence.

Joe Root continues to redefine modern Test cricket. The England talisman, now the second-highest run-scorer in the format, is just 2,235 runs away from breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record for most Test runs. With his century against Australia in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane—his first Test hundred vs Australia in 12 years—the debate over whether Root can surpass Tendulkar has intensified.

However, even before he gets close to Sachin’s monumental benchmark, Root has already achieved several records that the Indian legend did not during his illustrious 24-year Test career. Here are three major Test records Root holds which Sachin never achieved:

🏏 1. Most Consecutive Tests With Fifty-Plus Scores

Consistency in the longest format is incredibly rare—and both players were masters of it.

• Sachin Tendulkar: Scored 50+ runs in 10 consecutive Tests (Dec 2009–Oct 2010).
• Joe Root: Broke the world record with 12 consecutive Tests scoring 50 or more (Oct 2016–Aug 2017).

Root’s run wasn’t just consistent—it was dominant. During this period, he was the world’s most prolific Test batter, showcasing reliability across home and away conditions.

🏏 2. A Century in Each Innings of a Test Match

Despite scoring 51 Test centuries, Sachin never managed a hundred in each innings of a Test—one of cricket’s rarest feats.

Joe Root, however, accomplished this milestone:

• 143 & 103 vs Sri Lanka, Lord’s (August 2024)

Scoring twin centuries requires flawless technique, stamina, and adaptability across changing pitch conditions—Root ticked all the boxes.

🏏 3. Most Catches in Test History (Non-Wicketkeeper)

Sachin Tendulkar finished with:

• 115 catches in 200 Tests.

Joe Root has transformed close-in fielding—especially at slip—into an art form and currently leads the all-time list:

• 213 catches, the highest in Test cricket’s history.

This record is a testament to Root’s impeccable reflexes, anticipation, and consistency over more than a decade.

🌟 Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar: A Legacy Comparison

While Root is closing in on Tendulkar’s record tally of 15,921 Test runs, the two batters belong to different eras, conditions, and team dynamics. What they share is rare: longevity, elite temperament, and unmatched impact.

Whether Root eventually becomes Test cricket’s highest run-scorer remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that he has already carved out a unique place in cricketing history—achieving feats even Sachin did not.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 edition is set for a landmark season as organisers introduce a refreshed schedule, new venue dynamics, and the league’s first weekday final. Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will kick off the tournament against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on January 9, marking the start of a 28-day cricket spectacle stretched across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.

For the first time in WPL history, the grand finale will be held on a Thursday (February 5) — a deliberate move aimed at improving viewership and avoiding clashes with major international fixtures scheduled later that week.

Two Venues, Strategic Scheduling

The tournament will be played exclusively at two grounds:

📍 DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

• Hosts the first 11 matches, including the two Saturday double-headers.
• The venue recently witnessed India’s historic ODI World Cup victory over South Africa, adding to its prestige.

📍 Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara

• Hosts the remaining matches, including the Eliminator (Feb 3) and the Final (Feb 5).
• Marks the first time Kotambi will stage a WPL final, signalling the league’s expansion beyond traditional centres.

WPL Chairman Jayesh George confirmed that, except for the first game on double-header days, all matches will be evening fixtures, ensuring peak prime-time viewership.

Why January–February?

Unlike previous seasons, typically held close to IPL dates, WPL 2026 moves into the January–February window.
This shift ensures:

• No overlap with major international women’s fixtures
• Full availability of marquee overseas players
• Stable scheduling before the men’s U19 World Cup (concludes Feb 6)
• Avoidance of the men’s T20 World Cup (begins Feb 7)

This makes WPL 2026 one of the best-positioned seasons in terms of global cricket calendar compatibility.

Teams Eyeing Redemption and Glory

• Mumbai Indians, winners in 2023 and 2025, aim for a third title in four seasons.
• Delhi Capitals, runners-up in all three editions since the league’s inception, will push to break their final-jinx.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue searching for their first WPL trophy despite strong squads.
• UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants are yet to reach a final and will aim for improved consistency.

With several teams strengthening their cores in auctions, WPL 2026 promises to be the most competitive season yet.

📅 Full WPL 2026 Schedule