India will take on South Africa in the third T20I of the series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamsala, with the contest finely poised at 1–1. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss at 6:30 PM IST.
India dominated the opening encounter, registering a comprehensive 101-run victory. All-rounder Hardik Pandya starred with a match-winning performance, scoring an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls and making a decisive impact with the ball to earn the Player of the Match award.
South Africa hit back strongly in the second T20I, posting a commanding 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Quinton de Kock led the charge with a superb 90 off 46 balls, an innings studded with 10 fours and five sixes, and was adjudged Player of the Match as the visitors levelled the series.
With both teams having registered emphatic victories, the Dharamsala encounter promises to be a high-stakes decider.
India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Match Details
Match: India vs South Africa 3rd T20I (night match)
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Start time: 7:00 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM IST)
Where to watch: Star Sports Network / JioHotstar
India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Key players to watch
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has come under scrutiny after a disappointing run in the first two matches of the series. The middle-order mainstay has struggled to make an impact so far, raising questions ahead of the crucial third T20I.
Shubman Gill will also be under pressure after back-to-back low scores. The opener managed just four runs off two balls in the first match before falling for a golden duck in the second T20I, dismissed by Lungi Ngidi. His lack of runs and strike-rate concerns at the top of the order remain an area of worry for India as they look to take the lead in the series.
Hardik Pandya’s return has been a mixed bag. While his performance in the opening match was encouraging, the all-rounder could not build on it in the second T20I, scoring eight runs off six balls before being caught by Reeza Hendricks off Keshav Maharaj. India will expect a stronger all-round contribution from Pandya in the decider.
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock remains the key batter. After being dismissed for a golden duck by Arshdeep Singh in the first T20I, the experienced opener bounced back in style with a match-winning 90 in the second game, underlining his importance at the top.
Aiden Markram is expected to provide stability in the middle order, while South Africa’s bowling attack will once again be spearheaded by Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman. The duo were outstanding in the second T20I, picking up three and four wickets, respectively, and will look to exploit the conditions in Dharamsala.
India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Head-to-Head record in T20Is
Matches played: 33
India won: 19
South Africa won: 13
No result: 1
India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs
India predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa predicted XI: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.