India and South Africa will face off in the third T20I of their ongoing series at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14. With the series locked at 1-1, this encounter could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the five-match contest.
Match Details (Quick Overview)
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Match: India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I
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Series: South Africa tour of India 2025
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Date & Time: Sunday, December 14; 7:00 PM IST
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Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
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Broadcast & Live Streaming: JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Series Overview
The series has already delivered contrasting performances from both sides. India dominated the opening T20I with a comprehensive 101-run victory, showcasing a strong all-round performance. Hardik Pandya led from the front, contributing significantly with both bat and ball to earn the Player of the Match award.
South Africa responded emphatically in the second T20I at New Chandigarh. Quinton de Kock played a captain’s knock of 90, anchoring the innings, while Ottneil Baartman’s four-wicket spell dismantled India’s batting lineup. The Proteas secured a convincing 51-run win to level the series, setting the stage for an intense battle in Dharamsala.
Team Overviews
India enter this match with a well-balanced squad combining explosive batting and a lethal bowling attack. Suryakumar Yadav continues to lead the side, while the presence of experienced players like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel adds stability. India will be keen to address their batting collapse from the previous game and capitalize on home conditions.
South Africa, under Aiden Markram’s leadership, have shown resilience and adaptability. Their batting lineup boasts firepower with Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Dewald Brevis, while the bowling unit, featuring Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Baartman, has the ability to exploit pace-friendly conditions.
Head-to-Head Record
India and South Africa have faced each other 33 times in T20Is. India hold a slight edge with 19 wins, while South Africa have emerged victorious on 13 occasions. One match ended with no result or tie. The most recent meeting was on December 11, 2025, which South Africa won, adding extra spice to this encounter.
Pitch Report
The Dharamsala pitch is known for assisting fast bowlers, largely due to the high altitude which allows the ball to travel quicker through the air. Pacers are expected to enjoy early movement, especially under lights. Batters may find scoring easier during the middle overs once set, but dew could become a crucial factor in the second innings. Captains winning the toss are likely to prefer bowling first to take advantage of chasing conditions.
Probable Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
Key Players to Watch
Abhishek Sharma could be India’s x-factor at the top. Despite quiet outings in the first two games, his aggressive style suits the conditions in Dharamsala. For South Africa, Marco Jansen’s height and left-arm pace could trouble Indian batters, especially with the new ball.
Probable Match Scenarios and Prediction
If dew sets in heavily, the team batting second could gain a clear advantage. A competitive first-innings total is expected to be around the 170–180 mark. Considering the pitch behavior and recent trends, the team bowling first may have a higher chance of winning this contest.
With both teams evenly matched and momentum swinging back and forth, the third T20I promises to be a thrilling contest under the lights in Dharamsala.
