Kuldeep Yadav‘s playful DRS exchanges with Rohit Sharma added humour to India’s bowling effort in the ongoing third ODI against South Africa at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium. The left-arm wrist-spinner claimed 4/41, including key strikes on Dewald Brevis and Marco Jansen, helping restrict South Africa to 270 after Quinton de Kock‘s 106. With India chasing 271, the series hangs in balance at 1-1 following South Africa’s second ODI win.​

Kuldeep Yadav shares details of his DRS-related banter with Rohit Sharma

During Kuldeep’s probing spell around the 45th over, he trapped Lungi Ngidi lbw—upheld on-field but unsuccessfully reviewed—sparking laughter with Rohit and KL Rahul, recalling an earlier denied appeal. Rohit, from the outfield, repeatedly teased the spinner for over-appealing pad hits, yelling quips like “chal wapas ja” to curb hasty reviews.

In his innings-break interview, Kuldeep admitted his DRS woes in an interview with Star Sports: ” In DRS, I’m someone who’s very bad. He keeps pulling my leg. Whenever I’m bowling, if I try to hit the pad and succeed in that, I feel every ball is wicket. When you have a former captain and KL too, especially in DRS calls, as a bowler you feel like every not out is out. You need seniors like that to guide you.”

Prasidh Krishna‘s matching 4/66 dismantled the middle order, removing Temba Bavuma (48) and de Kock, while India’s rare toss win ended a 20-loss streak, aiding dew management. Kuldeep’s 39th-over double blow curbed South Africa’s momentum from 168/2, exposing the tail to variations. This marked his 11th ODI four-for, elevating his limited-overs legacy.​

Also WATCH: Virat Kohli shares light-hearted bromance moment with Kuldeep during Vizag ODI

Pitch grip powers spin attack of India at Visakhapatnam

Kuldeep hailed the track’s post-powerplay grip, enhanced by a dry ball under the 34-over change rule, allowing turn via leg-spinners, googlies, and flippers. Early tightness from Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana set the platform before spinners exploited conditions, making scoring tough against grip. “Wicket good to bat on later, but control early was key,” he added, optimistic about the chase with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli advancing steadily.​

Rohit’s fielding shone too, pouching Brevis and saving runs, blending banter with sharpness. As India eye a series win—their last two against South Africa came prior—Kuldeep’s maturity beyond DRS fun underscores his growth. The decider tests batting depth amid pressure.

Also WATCH: KL Rahul’s epic celebration after India ends toss jinx | IND vs SA, 3rd ODI

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