Following India’s 2-1 win in the three-day ODI matches, India and South Africa turn their attention to the upcoming T20I series, scheduled from December 9 to December 19, with the first match set for the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Both team have previously met twice at this venue in T20I, with the Proteas winning both the matches.
Historically in T20Is, India hold the overall edge over South Africa with 25 wins and only three losses, with one being a no-result, while the Proteas have faced challenges, winning only five of the 14 games.
India will be aiming to build momentum from the recent ODI success. South Africa, however, will be looking to bounce back in the five-match series to close the gap against India.
India vs. South Africa, T20I series: Match details
Teams: India vs South Africa, T20I match
Venue: Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha.
Time : 7 PM IST
Where to watch: Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
India vs South Africa T20I Series 2025: Full Schedule and Venues
• Dec. 9: 1st T20I – Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
• Dec. 11: 2nd T20I – Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, Mullanpur
• Dec. 14: 3rd T20I – Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
• Dec. 17: 4th T20I – Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium also known as Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
• Dec. 19: 5th T20I – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
India vs South Africa T20I Series 2025: Key players
Top-order batter Shubman Gill is expected to make his comeback after he sustained a neck injury during the test matches in September. He has been named vice-captain of the Indian squad but his participation depends on a final fitness clearance from the medical team.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya will join the squad after recovering from a left quadriceps injury sustained during the 2025 Asia Cup. Pandya proved his match readiness in domestic cricket, and has now returned to provide India with balance and flexibility both with the bat and the ball.
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will also be a key player to watch in leading the side. Anchoring middle-order stability could be decisive in helping India reclaim dominance in the format.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested during the recent ODI series against South Africa, is back in the 15-member T20I squad. The management will rely on his lethal pace and wicket-taking abilities, especially in the opening overs, to put pressure on the visiting team.
David Miller, the left-hander, has entered the T20I setup after a injury lay-off. Given his ability to turn games in a matter of overs, he will be a key player to watch out for South Africa. Aiden Markram, the captain of the T20I series will lead from the front with the bat. He anchors the middle order and provides stability to the team’s innings structure.
India vs. South Africa, T20I series: Head-to-head
Total matchups: 31 times
Team India won: 18 matches
South Africa won: 12 matches
No Result: 1 match
On Indian soil matchups: 12
India won: 5 matches
South Africa won: 6 matches
No Result: 1 match
India vs South Africa, T20I series: Probable playing 11
India Squad
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.
South Africa Squad
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.