After two high-intensity encounters at Cuttack and New Chandigarh, the five-match T20I series between India and South Africa stands evenly poised at 1-1. With momentum swinging both ways, the action now shifts to the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamsala, where the two sides will clash in the third T20I.
The hosts will be keen to bounce back and regain a 2-1 lead, while South Africa will aim to maintain pressure with another commanding performance on Indian soil.
India began the series with a dominant bowling display in the opening match but struggled to replicate that form in the second T20I. The batting unit, in particular, failed to click, raising concerns ahead of a crucial phase of the series.
The form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill has emerged as a key talking point. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, India will be eager to stabilise its core batting group and identify its strongest combination.
South Africa endured a dramatic batting collapse in the series opener but responded emphatically in the second match. The Proteas outplayed India across batting, bowling, and fielding to level the series.
The visitors are expected to avoid unnecessary experimentation and stick to a settled approach as they look to seize control of the contest.
Given the competitive nature of the series, neither side is likely to make unforced changes to their playing XI for the Sunday encounter. Consistency and execution will be key, especially on the Dharamsala surface, which traditionally offers pace and bounce.
Abhishek Sharma
Shubman Gill
Suryakumar Yadav (c)
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dube
Jitesh Sharma (wk)
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Varun Chakaravarthy
Reeza Hendricks
Quinton de Kock (wk)
Aiden Markram (c)
Dewald Brevis
David Miller
Donovan Ferreira
George Linde
Marco Jansen
Lutho Sipamla
Lungi Ngidi
Ottneil Baartman
Total matches played: 33
India won: 19
South Africa won: 13
No result: 1
India hold a historical edge in the shortest format, but recent contests highlight how closely matched the two teams have become.
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Quinton de Kock (WK), Donovan Ferreira (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
Date: Sunday, December 14
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Toss Time: 6:30 pm IST
Match Start Time: 7:00 pm IST
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With the series finely balanced, the third T20I could prove decisive in shaping momentum for the remainder of the tour. India will look for a batting revival, while South Africa will aim to capitalise on their recent dominance and push the hosts under pressure.