As India and South Africa head into the 3rd ODI in Visakhapatnam with the series on the line, an unlikely subplot has dominated the buildup: India’s astonishing run of 20 consecutive toss defeats in ODIs, a sequence with a probability close to one in a million.
With dew expected to play a massive role in the final match of India’s home season, the toss at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium could significantly influence the outcome. For India, who witnessed firsthand how dew derailed their defence of 359 in Raipur, losing the toss again could prove particularly costly.
Visakhapatnam Weather Forecast: Full 100-Overs Likely
The weather in Visakhapatnam promises a complete match with no rain interruptions. Afternoon temperatures are expected to hover around 27-28°C, with warm, humid conditions early on. As the match transitions into the evening, temperatures will drop sharply to between 11-20°C, depending on coastal wind movement.
Skies are likely to remain mostly cloudy, but with negligible rainfall chances. However, humidity levels above 70% after sunset will contribute to fatigue for players – and more importantly, intensify the dew formation that has shaped the entire series.
Heavy Dew Expected to Tilt Balance Toward Chasing Side
Dew has already emerged as the defining factor of the ODI leg. In Raipur, India’s bowlers struggled to grip the ball during South Africa’s record-equalling chase, dealing with a wet outfield and a slippery seam.
Visakhapatnam is historically one of the heaviest dew venues in India, especially for evening matches. Medical staff and ground crews often battle moisture from as early as the 15th over of the second innings.
Expected on match night:
- Rapid dew onset after sunset
- A skidding ball offering little lateral movement
- Minimal grip for finger-spinners and wrist-spinners
- A faster outfield favouring boundary play
- Easier stroke-making in the final 15 overs for the chasing side
Spin bowling becomes notably ineffective beyond the 30–35 over mark in the second innings at Vizag, forcing teams to rely heavily on pace variations and yorkers.
Toss Prediction: Strong Incentive to Bowl First
Given the dew-dominant conditions, captain winning the toss is most likely to field first and chase under lights. That trend was reinforced by the recent Women’s World Cup, during which teams batting second won all five matches played at Visakhapatnam.
With India desperate to avoid defending under dew again, the toss can be be labelled ‘crucial’ – perhaps more so than in any match this series.
Also READ: IND vs SA, 3rd ODI Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and South Africa?
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