With the series subtly ready for 1–1India and South Africa head to Dharamsala for a crucial third T20I that doubles as a decider and a high-stakes rehearsal ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. This match is not just about fixing roles, testing combinations and embracing a degree of discomfort before final plans take shape.
India: Searching for clarity amid experimentation
India have used the series to experiment aggressively. Axar Patel’s promotion up the rankings, Jitesh Sharma’s floating role at number 7/8, and Hardik Pandya bowling more in the middle overs, while specialist pacers handle the Powerplay and the death, have yielded mixed results. Add to this the poor run of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, and the urgency to strengthen the roles has increased.
Selection questions remain. Sanju Samson’s possible return remains a topic of discussion, including whether India is reconsidering the idea of his opening. There is also a debate about balance: should India persist with three spinners, possibly at the expense of Arshdeep Singh, even on a surface in Dharamsala that may not openly call for it? Despite the circumstances, India has repeatedly supported heavy attacks over the past eighteen months, even in less forgiving locations.
South Africa: Trust gained, but balance still elusive
South Africa arrive buoyed by their win in Chandigarh, with Quinton de Kock’s return to T20I a big positive. However, questions remain about lower-order power hitting and the ideal mix of pace, especially with rotation in mind as workload is managed ahead of a busy season.
Captain Aiden Markram has made it clear that selection decisions are driven by long-term priorities and not short-term continuity, even if that means sacrificing momentum.
Location & conditions
Dharamsala’s height has historically led to big scores, with four of the five IPL matches since 2022 won by the team batting first and all exceeding 180. The stadium has not hosted international men’s cricket for over two years, with the last T20I played here in February 2022, adding an element of unpredictability.
Probably playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje / Corbin Bosch, Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi
Key stats to watch
- Suryakumar Yadav has eight single-digit T20I scores in 2025; Shubman Gill has five
- Hardik Pandya needs one wicket to reach 100 T20I wickets
- Dewald Brevis is four sixes away from 100 T20 sixes by 2025
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