Zaheer Khan hails KL Rahul’s leadership in IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has lavished praise on KL Rahul’s leadership after India registered a nine-wicket win against South Africa at Vizag on Saturday. Khan highlighted that India’s stand-in captain was spot-on with the bowling changes.

The former pacer praised Rahul for using Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav with guile. Rahul also gave the ball to Tilak Varma, who replaced Washington Sundar in the playing XI.

Meanwhile, Krishna conceded 27 runs in his first two overs but bounced back strongly to return with figures of 4-66. Furthermore, Kuldeep Yadav bagged 4-41 in his quota of 10 overs, which is his 11th four-wicket haul in ODIs. South Africa veered off the track, losing 5-67 from overs 29-39.

“When you look at how the game unfolded, you have to make a few decision proactively as the game goes on, and when Prasidh’s spell went for a few more than he would have liked, then quickly understanding that you need the sixth bowling option. That is a good decision he made I felt. And also, bringing Arshdeep Singh earlier. Also keeping five overs of Kuldeep at that stage as an attacking option. So, I think he had a good day as a captain,” Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

Khan praised Kuldeep Yadav for continuing his good show against South Africa and delivering in the middle overs.

“Kuldeep is well aware of the fact that South African batters are very shaky when it comes to facing him. That’s the way you see the Indian team use his services, that one window from 35-45 overs where batters can look to go hard if they have a strong platform. Kuldeep can turn things around in that phase,” the former India pacer added.

The former pacer said the wrist spinner was able to prove his mettle and played a key role in bundling out the Proteas at 270.

“Today was a classic example of that. 218 at 35 overs with five overs of Kuldeep left. Then Kuldeep responding in this fashion, clearly having an impact on the total South Africa set. We are talking about close to 50 runs here, which is a huge margin in this format. Kuldeep has done his job tremendously,” he continued.

After the ODI series, India will take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series, starting Tuesday.