Why is Nandre Burger Not Playing Today in IND vs SA 3rd ODI?⁩

KL Rahul’s India will face Temba Bavuma’s South Africa in the decisive third ODI at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. With the series balanced at 1–1, India claimed the opener in Ranchi before South Africa struck back in Raipur. In both matches so far, the side batting first has scored totals in excess of 340 runs. Virat Kohli, who is among the best batsmen in the world, has been in outstanding touch, smashing consecutive centuries in the series, while Kuldeep Yadav has emerged as the leading wicket-taker, picking up five wickets across the two games.

South Africa has been hit with a major blow ahead of the third ODI against India, with key players Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi unavailable for selection. Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that Burger has been ruled out of the crucial Vizag clash, while De Zorzi and promising pacer Kwena Maphaka have been withdrawn from the rest of the India tour, including the upcoming T20I series, after picking up injuries.

Why is Nandre Burger not Playing Today in IND vs SA 3rd ODI?

Cricket South Africa came up on Saturday morning with Nandre Burger injury update as he has been ruled out of the third ODI against India after suffering a right hamstring issue. Top-order batter Tony de Zorzi will also miss the remainder of the tour with a similar injury, and young left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka has been called unfit for the upcoming T20I series as he continues to battle a left-hamstring problem. While CSA has not named a replacement for De Zorzi, they have added right-arm seamer Lutho Sipamla to the squad to cover for Maphaka’s absence.

Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav Dismantled the Proteas Batting Lineup

In a splendid bowling performance in the Visakhapatnam series finale, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav ripped through South Africa’s batting order, combining for eight wickets and putting India firmly on top as the visitors were dismissed for 270. Both bowlers produced four-wicket hauls.

Prasidh emerged as the game-changer after a costly opening spell, coming back strongly to tear apart the batting line-up. He trapped Matthew Breetzke in front, sent back Aiden Markram, and delivered the breakthrough moment by picking up the wicket of a well-set Quinton de Kock, who had crossed 100. He rounded off his spell by knocking over Ottneil Baartman to finish with figures of 4/66.

Kuldeep Yadav, who is among the best spinners in the world, supported the fast bowler perfectly with a superb spell. He got Dewald Brevis and Marco Jansen before running through the lower order with the wickets of Corbin Bosch and Lungi Ngidi. He finished his final analysis at 4/41 as South Africa lost direction after being in a strong position.