Tilak Varma threatens to Mankad Matthew Breetzke during IND vs SA 3rd ODI

A drama unfolded in the ongoing third and final ODI as India’s Tilak Varma warned South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke not to Mankad in Vishakhapatnam. It happened after the 23.2 over, when Tilak bowled a slow, leg-line delivery. Breetzke drove it well to long-on and managed to take a single.

As Tilak began his run-up for the next delivery, Breetzke had already stepped out of his crease, prompting the Indian off-spinner to stop mid-stride.

Tilak Varma gives Matthew Breetzke a cheeky Mankad warning in Vishakhapatnam

Tilak Varma walked up to the South African batter and had a brief word, giving him a clear warning about leaving the crease too early. Replays confirmed that Breetzke backed up too far, and the Indian star was just making sure the batter was aware of the rules.

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Now, the images and clips of Tilak’s cheeky warning to the Proteas star went viral on social media as the umpire himself could not stop laughing at the non-striker’s end.

Tilak Verma scared Breetzke for Mankad pic.twitter.com/KCDLdlA77L

— BittuG (@Crickaith) December 6, 2025

Following the drama, when Tilkar returned to bowl the 26th over, Breetzke welcomed the youngster with back-to-back sixes in the ongoing ODI series decider. Breetzke immediately punished Tilak with a powerful slog-sweep shot.

By staying slightly towards the leg side, the Proteas batter made space and smashed the ball high and wide over the long-on fielder for a stunning six. In the very next delivery, Breetzke walked forward a few steps, got close to the ball, and lifted it straight over Tilak’s head, with the ball going over the long-on fielder for another six.

Tilak Varma replaced Washington Sundar in 3rd ODI; Matthew Breetzke flops under pressure

However, later he conceded only four runs in the rest of the balls to Breetzke. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma returned to India’s playing XI for the ongoing ODI series decider in Vishakhapatnam as the hosts dropped Washington Sundar following his poor performances in the first two ODIs in Ranchi and Raipur. However, Sundar was not used much with the ball in those games.

Read Also: Prasidh Krishna literally DEMOLISHES Quinton de Kock's stumps in Visakhapatnam ODI

Tilak has so far bowled 3 overs, and he conceded 29 runs. On the other hand, Breetzke could score only 24 runs off 23 balls against India before falling to Prasidh Krishna despite earlier shown confidence to shine in his new role at the Proteas ODI line-up.

Before the Vishakhapatnam ODI, Matthew Breetzke had stated, "I'm just getting more experience now batting at four, and I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable in the role. So that helps, and I think the more I play at number four and in this role, hopefully the better I'll get.”

South Africa eye historic double on Indian Soil

Well, South Africa has a chance to create something truly special on the Indian soil on December 6. They already defeated India 2–0 in the recent Test series, and now they are close to winning the ODI series as well after leveling the series 1-1 with a four-wicket win in the Raipur game.

India does not very often lose at home, and it is extremely rare for them to lose both a Test series and an ODI series in the same tour, but this team could script the history. The last time this happened was nearly four decades ago, so South Africa is on the verge of a historic double in Vishakhapatnam.