Dharamshala, Dec 13 (UNI) India and South Africa will aim to move ahead in the series when they clash in the third T20 International at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday, with the five-match contest evenly poised at 1-1.
After India registered a dominant win in the opening game, South Africa hit back strongly in the second T20I to restore parity, setting up an evenly balanced encounter in the picturesque hill venue. With both teams having exposed each other’s strengths and weaknesses, the Dharamshala match is expected to play a key role in shaping the course of the remaining series.
India’s batting has shown flashes of promise but has lacked consistency at the top. Middle-order contributions from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya have been crucial in steadying the innings after early setbacks in the first two matches.
Opener Abhishek Sharma remains central to India’s plans, with the team banking on his ability to provide brisk starts during the powerplay. Senior batsmen Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav will be keen to convert starts into substantial scores and lend stability to the lineup.
The India bowling unit will be under scrutiny after conceding heavily in the previous match. Pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were unable to make early inroads in the second T20I, and the hosts will expect a sharper performance from them on a surface known to assist seamers. Spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy have been among the wickets and are likely to play a decisive role in controlling the middle overs.
South Africa will draw confidence from their comprehensive win in the last game, built around a commanding batting effort. Quinton de Kock led from the front with an aggressive knock, while captain Aiden Markram will look to provide a good start. The visitors’ batting depth, bolstered by Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Donovan Ferreira, has given them flexibility in approach and finishing strength.
Their bowling attack has also found form, with Ottneil Baartman emerging as a key figure after claiming four wickets in the previous match. Marco Jansen’s extra bounce and Lungi Ngidi’s pace have added bite to the attack, allowing South Africa to apply pressure in both the powerplay and death overs.
Conditions at Dharamshala are expected to influence tactics. The high-altitude venue generally offers good bounce and carry, with shorter boundaries aiding stroke play once batsmen are set. The average first-innings score at the ground is close to 187, and dew is expected to play a role later in the evening, making chasing the preferred option. Weather forecasts indicate cold but clear conditions, ensuring an uninterrupted contest.
With both sides eager to gain a psychological edge by going ahead in the series, a closely contested match is anticipated, as India rely on home advantage while South Africa look to build on their renewed momentum.
India:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana.
South Africa:
Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Noetje, Tony de Zorji, Corbin Bosch, Reeza Hendricks, Kwena Maphaka
