IND vs SA 2025: Tilak Varma gives run-out threat to Matthew Breetzke for leaving crease at non-striker’s end

Tilak Varma and Matthew Breetzke were involved in a dramatic exchange during the final ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. 

Tilak, who was drafted into the XI in place of Washington Sundar for the series-deciding clash, aborted his bowling stride and had a  word with Breetzke before returning to his bowling mark after he found the latter backing up too far at the non-striker’s end.

Speaking of the ongoing match, India won the toss and opted to field first. It was the first time they won the toss in ODIs since the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup. Arshdeep Singh struck early to get rid of Ryan Rickelton, who got dismissed for a second consecutive duck in the 50-over format.

The next wicket to fall was that of Temba Bavuma. The skipper fell just two shy of what would have been his ninth ODI half-century. Ravindra Jadeja, who went wicketless in the first two ODIs, finally managed to pick up a wicket. Soon afterwards, Prasidh Krishna redeemed himself with wickets of of Breetzke and Aiden Markram in the same over after being taken apart by Quinton de Kock earlier in the game.

De Kock, who recently reversed his ODI retirement, got to a fine century, his seventh in ODIs against the Men in Blue. de Kock was coming on the back of two single-digit scores in Ranchi and Raipur. He reached the three-figure mark with a majestic maximum over the deep square-leg fence.

The series currently sits at 1-1. India secured a 17-run win in the series-opening clash in Ranchi before the Proteas responded with a stunning run-chase, tracking down 359 in style to win by four wickets in Raipur. The ODI series will be followed by five T20Is, scheduled between December 9 to 19.