South Africa v India Third ODI Tips: Saffers to seal the series at a good price

• South Africa should take series

• Klaasen a bet at 5/16.00

• Paar pitch may be flat

South Africa v India
Thuirsday 21 December, 11:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

South Africa v India Third ODI team news

Tony de Zorzi nailed his place for the forseeable with a breakthrough ton to ease South Africa home in a low chase of 211. But he is rested for this game with Matt Breetzke expected to come in.

The role of pace in setting up the win should not be fortgotten. Beauran Hendricks and Nandre Burger combined for two and three wickets apiece. It was just as well as South Africa, struggling a bit for balance, had Keshav Maharaj at No 8.

Hendricks is not included in the squad for this game so his spot could go to Ottniel Baartman.

Possible XI: Breetzke, R Hendricks, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen, Miller, Mulder, Maharaj, Burger, Baartman, Williams

India were going well at 114 for two before the middle-order disappeared. Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul may blame themselves for failing to shepherd the innings when absolutely set.

There could be changes, though. Rajat Patidar could come in for Sanju Samson with Rahul taking the gloves. All-rounders Akash Deep and Washington Sundar will also be in contention. Shreyas Iyer looks like beign rested for the Tests.

Possible XI: Sudharsan, Gaikwad, Varma, Rahul, Patidar, Deep, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, Mukesh, Avesh

South Africa v India Third ODI pitch report

Eight from the 14 ODI at Paarl have been won by the team batting first. First-innings scores were consistent in the three games since 2020 with 291, 296 and 287 posted. That 296 and 287 was by SA and India respectively last year. India failed to defend. This could be the game where the Saffer's batting finally fires. They could bust a par line of 310.5619/2.

South Africa v India Third ODI match odds

South Africa are marginal favourites to claim the three-match series at 1.9520/21 with India 2.0421/20.

We have said consistently that South Africa have been underrated in this contest. That, of course, makes sense in light of the heavy beating they took in game one.

But that has to go down as one of the more surprising margins of victory/loss this year. South Africa have strong batting and they should be capable of overpowering India for a second time.

South Africa v India Third ODI player bets

Heinrich Klaasen is bang in the win zone for top South Africa bat. Keeping faith with players to cop when we know their win rate has been a key strategy this year so we're happy that he is as big as 5/16.00. Klaasen wins at a rate of 4/15.00.

For India, the value on KL Rahul and Tilak Varma has long gone. There's a possibility that Rajat Patidar could get a go at No 3 instead of the former but we're not desperate to bet it.

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