South Africa vs India – 3rd ODI Match Prediction

South Africa have already won the Freedom Series courtesy of their two wins from the first two matches, and it is a bit of a shame for them that these games are not part of the new ODI Super League as it would have given them much more of a reward. Now with this one day international series in the bag, they can think about making a couple of changes and giving some fringe players a run out. Will they make it a clean sweep, or will India manage a consolation win on their tour of South Africa? Read on to find out our prediction for the match.

South Africa Team Preview

The South Africa team can be really proud of the way that they went about winning the first two matches. In the first match, we thought their score was a little short of what would be needed to win the game, but their bowling attack made sure that it was more than enough. They were more impressive in the second game as they managed to chase down India's score of 290 with ease.

All of their batsmen in the second ODI scored runs for their team, which shows just how much superiority they have over this Indian bowling attack. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Janneman Malan, and Rassie van der Dussen have not appeared to be in any kind of trouble against India's bowling attack this series. Aiden Markram has struggled a bit, but even he has managed to score some runs.

If you are going to be placing some bets at cricket betting sites, we recommend that you look at the Top Batsman market for South Africa and put your money on de Kock or van der Dussen to top score for their team. However, before you go ahead and place your bet, we would recommend that you wait and see what their playing XI will be as there is a really good chance that they will make a number of changes now that the series is in the bag.

When it comes to their bowling attack, it has not been their strongest lineup because they are missing both Kagiso Rabada and Heinrich Nortje, who are two of their best bowlers. However, despite their absence, they have still been able to collect regular wickets thanks to their spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, who have been able to ask a lot of tough questions of the Indian batsmen.

India Team Preview

India, without question, have many problems going into this game. Will they finally make a couple of changes and give some of their young and talented players a runout in the side? We really think that they have no option but to make a couple of changes. We are not exaggerating when we say that Bhuveneshwar Kumar could well be reaching the end of his career as he is nowhere close to being the bowler that he once was. We think that Deepak Chahar will take his place.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Ashwin have been bowling terribly in the middle overs, but they do not have other spinners in the squad so they will both keep their places. Shardul Thakur has been good and has contributed a lot down the order with his batting, so we think he will keep his spot in the 11 as well. Then, of course, there is Jasprit Bumrah, who has been their best bowler, so we do not see the point in dropping him.

If you are going to do some online cricket betting, and want to bet on the top bowler for India, then we would recommend you to put your money on Bumrah.

Now to the batting. The likes of Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli are locked in to play. After hitting 89 in the previous game, we do not see Rishab Pant being dropped from his number four position. It is likely that Venkatesh Iyer will get another chance since it is his debut series, and this means that it is Shreyas Iyer who is going to be the one who ends up getting sacrificed. We expect to see Suryakumar Yadav come in to take his spot.

Even with such changes, their bowling attack still looks pretty suspect. Their ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs of a match is questionable, and they are quite vulnerable in the batting department due to the lack of conviction that has been shown by the likes of Iyer, Kohli, and Rahul.

Toss Prediction

The captain that wins the toss will more than likely opt to bat first. The first two games were played at Boland Park, but this final match of the series is going to be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

There have been 44 matches played at this venue down the years, and the team that has batted first has won on 29 occasions, while the team that bowls first has won on just 15 occasions. Thus, the team that bats first has twice the chance of winning than the team that bowls first. Whoever wins the toss will hope to put a good score on the board so that their opponents are battling scoreboard pressure as well.

Pitch and Conditions

The captain that wins the toss will more than likely opt to bat first. The first two games were played at Boland Park, but this final match of the series is going to be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

There have been 44 matches played at this venue down the years, and the team that has batted first has won on 29 occasions, while the team that bowls first has won on just 15 occasions. Thus, the team that bats first has twice the chance of winning than the team that bowls first. Whoever wins the toss will hope to put a good score on the board so that their opponents are battling scoreboard pressure as well.

If you are going to make a cricket match prediction, then you should think about putting your money on a low number of sixes being hit.

Our Match Prediction

The cricket bookmakers have India as the favourites to win this third and final match in the series, but they are probably basing these odds on reputation and not on recent form. South Africa have been playing better cricket than India, so it is really them who should be the favourites to win this match. We do not yet know what changes South Africa will make, but we are still going to recommend you put your money on them to win. They also have a really good record at this ground with 31 wins from the 37 matches they have played at this venue.

Our match prediction: South Africa to win.