WATCH: KL Rahul punches air in delight as India end 20-match drought with toss win in 3rd ODI vs South Africa
India snapped their 20-match toss losing streak as stand-in skipper KL Rahul won the toss in the 3rd ODI against South Africa in Vizag on Saturday.
India's stand-in skipper KL Rahul had a big smile on his face and punched the air in delight after he won the toss in the 3rd ODI against South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag on Saturday. Rahul brought an end to India's 20-match toss losing streak in ODIs.
The crowd erupted in joy as the coin landed in India's favour, leaving Rahul elated. India finally won the coin toss in their 21st attempt in ODIs. The hosts last won a toss in the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand in Mumbai. After winning the toss, Rahul asked former India spinner Murali Kartik to do more tosses, labelling him a lucky mascot for India.
Interestingly Kartik was the toss presenter when India won their last coin toss in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. "Yeah, I think you (Murali Kartik) should do more tosses," Rahul told Kartik when the former India spinner informed him about the fact.
Toss has been a crucial factor in the ongoing three-match ODI series between India and South Africa so far. Teams batting second have enjoyed advantage due to the dew factor in both Ranchi and Raipur in the first two matches. Though he chose to bowl first, Rahul downplayed the dew factor in the 3rd ODI in Vizag on Saturday.
"We are looking to bowl first. A little bit, we trained here last night. There was dew but it didn't come as soon as it did at Ranchi or Raipur. I don't think it is going to play as much of a role as it did in the previous games. But yeah, we wanted to chase a total and see how we can bowl first," Rahul said at the toss.
Rahul was seen in a jolly mood after ending India's toss losing streak as he imitated Conor McGregor's strut while walking back to the dressing room. The Indian players were also delighted after the rare toss victory as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were seen celebrating in the Indian camp.
India make one change in their playing XI in 3rd ODI
India made only a solitary change in their playing XI for the third ODI against South Africa in Vizag. The hosts roped in batter Tilak Verma in place of spin all-rounder Washington Sundar. Sundar was dropped after his low-key returns in the first two ODIs. South Africa also made a couple of changes to their XI as they roped in Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman for injured Tony de Zorzi and Nandre Burger.