After a bruising 0–2 Test series whitewash at home, India gets a chance to reset in the white‑ball format as they host South Africa in a three‑match ODI series starting November 30, 2025. This is the 50‑over leg of South Africa’s 2025–26 tour of India, which also includes two Tests and five T20Is, and comes at a crucial time for both teams as they fine‑tune combinations ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup cycle.
For India, this series is about redemption and rebuilding confidence after a rare home series loss to the Proteas in the longer format. With regular ODI captain Shubman Gill and vice‑captain Shreyas Iyer rested due to injury healing, KL Rahul takes charge as stand‑in skipper in a transitional phase for the 50‑over side. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI setup after a break adds star power and experience, but also raises questions about the middle‑order balance and the role of younger batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Tilak Varma.
South Africa, on the other hand, will look to carry forward the momentum from their dominant Test series and assert their ODI supremacy over India. Temba Bavuma leads a relatively young but aggressive squad, with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Marco Jansen expected to play key roles with bat and ball. The Proteas have historically held the edge in ODIs, leading the head‑to‑head 51–40 in 94 matches, but India has been strong at home, winning 18 of 32 ODIs against SA on Indian soil.
India’s recent ODI form has been inconsistent, with mixed results in bilateral series and ICC events, making this series vital for regaining stability in the middle and lower order. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj means the pace attack will rely heavily on Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja form the core of the spin department.
For South Africa, this tour is a chance to cement their status as a top‑tier ODI side and build depth beyond their established stars. With the World Cup in mind, Bavuma’s men will be keen to test their bench strength and adapt to Indian conditions, especially on pitches that traditionally assist spin and seam movement.
IND vs SA ODI 2025: Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (IST/GMT) |
| 1st ODI | November 30, 2025 | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi | 1:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM GMT |
| 2nd ODI | December 3, 2025 | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 1:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM GMT |
| 3rd ODI | December 6, 2025 | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 1:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM GMT |
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