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India vs South Africa Highlights, 3rd T20I: India beat South Africa by 7 wickets in Dharamsala, take 2-1 lead in five-match series

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 14, 2025, 22:47:58 IST

India vs South Africa Highlights, 3rd T20I: India beat South Africa by 7 wickets in Dharamsala, take 2-1 lead in five-match series

India vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India vs South Africa 3rd T20I. With the series level at 1-1, India and South Africa arrive in Dharamsala for the third T20I, both sides eager to fine-tune strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup. While the opening two games have offered a mix of wins and losses, they have provided important insights into each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and the depth of their squads. India have used the early matches to experiment. Axar Patel has been promoted up the batting order, Jitesh Sharma has been given opportunities at No. 7 and 8, and Hardik Pandya has taken on middle-over bowling duties, while frontline pacers handled most of the powerplay and death overs. These experiments have produced mixed results, leaving India with tough decisions on whether to continue or revert to established plans. The lean patches of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill add urgency to finalising combinations, with questions around Sanju Samson’s possible return and the use of a three-spinner strategy at the cost of Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa, on the other hand, gained momentum with a win in Chandigarh and Quinton de Kock’s return to T20I form. Yet, the Proteas are still searching for the best combinations. Their lower-order batting remains thin, and the optimal pace attack is yet to be settled. Tristan Stubbs could return, adding depth and balance, but South Africa’s final XI is still a work in progress.

Dharamsala presents an interesting challenge. The HPCA Stadium has not hosted a men’s international fixture since February 2022, and past IPL matches suggest high-scoring games, often favouring sides batting first. Players will be looking to achieve milestones as well: Hardik Pandya is one wicket shy of 100 T20I scalps, Varun Chakaravarthy needs one for 50, and Dewald Brevis is four sixes away from 100 in a single year.

Both teams will use this game not only to claim a series advantage but also to sharpen plans, test combinations, and gain clarity ahead of next year’s World Cup. The cold climes of Dharamsala may not offer easy answers, but they provide a perfect platform to assess players, strategies, and resilience under pressure.

19:07 (IST) Dec 14

No Jasprit Bumrah tonight, so it will be Harshit Rana to share the attack.

19:07 (IST) Dec 14

Score after 1 over 1 - 1

Runs Scored: 0

1000(W)00

Aiden Markram 0 (2)
Quinton de Kock 1 (1)

Arshdeep Singh1-0-1-1

Overs0.6

Score1 - 1

Arshdeep Singh to Aiden Markram, Nibbling away from outside off, on a fractionally fuller length. Markram sees that off. A successful opening over from Arshdeep. Went wicketless in the previous game and also leaked many runs, but begins on a positive note this time around.

19:06 (IST) Dec 14

Overs0.5

Score1 - 1

Arshdeep Singh to Aiden Markram, Swings the other way now, on a hard length, at 132.6 kph. Aiden Markram gets right behind it and blocks it solidly off the back foot.

19:06 (IST) Dec 14

South Africa's skipper, Aiden Markram walks in next.

19:03 (IST) Dec 14

Overs0.4

Score1 - 1

Arshdeep Singh to Reeza Hendricks, OUT! LBW! An excellent review from India and Arshdeep strikes in the first over. He bashes the length hard and gets some inswing from the middle and leg stump line. Reeza Hendricks is pinned in the crease and tries to work across, but gets beaten on the inside edge and is rapped on the inside half of the front pad. A massive appeal for LBW, but not given. Arshdeep is quite keen on taking the review and after chatting with his bowler and the keeper, Suryakumar Yadav opts for a review. Is it doing a bit too much and going down leg? Clear gap between bat and ball, says the third umpire. Ball Tracking shows that it is pitching in line and is projected to smash into the leg stump. Reeza Hendricks departs without troubling the scorers as he goes for 0 (3).

19:02 (IST) Dec 14

Overs0.3

Score1 - 0

Arshdeep Singh to Reeza Hendricks, BEAUTY! At 131.9 kph, this one shapes away again, a bit more sharply this time, on a good length. Reeza Hendricks is beaten all ends up again on the outside edge.

19:02 (IST) Dec 14

Overs0.2

Score1 - 0

Arshdeep Singh to Reeza Hendricks, BEATEN! Hard length, nipping away on top of middle. Reeza Hendricks is squared up completely as he tries to block. Plays inside the line and gets outfoxed on the outside edge.

19:01 (IST) Dec 14

Overs0.1

Score1 - 0

Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, The Proteas and QDK are off the mark straightaway! A bit of outswing on a fullish length, outside off. Quinton de Kock strides across and drives it through the point region for a single.

18:58 (IST) Dec 14

We are all set to get going at 1,457 metres above sea level. The stands have filled up nicely, with the crowd well prepped for the chilly evening ahead. Suryakumar Yadav leads his troops out to the middle. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks to open the innings for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand. Arshdeep to de Kock. Two slips in place. The countdown is done. Let's go...

18:38 (IST) Dec 14

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Harshit Rana (In for Jasprit Bumrah), Kuldeep Yadav (In for Axar Patel), Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

18:38 (IST) Dec 14

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs (In for David Miller), Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch (In for George Linde), Anrich Nortje (In for Lutho Sipamla), Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman.

18:34 (IST) Dec 14

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram, says that it is a beautiful venue but underlines that it is a bit different from Joburg at this time of the year. Adds that it is very chilly and the wicket looks pretty good. Highlights that they responded very well in the second T20I after performing underwhelmingly in the first match. Stresses on assessing the conditions up front and putting on a big score. Feels very fortunate to play at this venue. Says that the boys are very excited for this important game. Adds that they want to be a team that is consistent. Informs that they have three changes in the side for this match as David Miller, Lutho Sipamla, and George Linde make way for Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, and Anrich Nortje.

18:34 (IST) Dec 14

The Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, feels it looks like a good wicket and says that there is already a bit of dew around and it is expected to get heavier later in the night. Talks about what a wonderful place this is and the warmth of the people, and hopes the team can put on an entertaining show for the crowd. He stresses that every game is important and highlights the need to bounce back quickly. Feels that if the side stays switched on for all three hours, they can deliver. On the team news front, he informs that Axar Patel is unwell, while Jasprit Bumrah misses out due to personal reasons and has returned home.

18:31 (IST) Dec 14

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of India, and Suryakumar Yadav elects to BOWL first.

18:16 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score 3rd T20I: Former India coach sends message to Shubman Gill

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar emphasised Shubman Gill's role as a platform-builder, advising him to focus on playing proper cricketing strokes rather than attempting big shots.

Bangar also felt that with big hitters like Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube behind him, Gill should prioritise tackling tough overs, handling the new ball, and surviving early breakthroughs, especially in crunch situations or low-scoring games.

This comes after Gill failed to score in the first two fixtures of the ongoing five-match T20 series against South Africa. Gill scored only four runs in the first T20I and was dismissed for a golden duck in the second match against South Africa.

With the India and South Africa T20I series levelled 1-1, focus shifts to Gill's form ahead of the third T20 on Sunday in Dharamsala.

"I'd clarify his [Shubman Gill] role: no need for big shots--stick to proper cricketing strokes with so many quick scorers behind you. Lay the platform, especially in crunch situations or low-scoring games. India needs a batter who can tackle tough overs, handle the new ball, and survive early breakthroughs like Shubman's dismissal on the first ball," Sanjay Bangar said on JioStar.

Gill's dipping form and his strike rate at the top order are a genuine concern for Team India. Gill's recent form has been below average, given his pedigree. In his last 14 T20I innings, Gill has scored just 263 runs at an average of 23.90 and a strike rate of 142.93.

India's dominance at the top after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and early 2025 was driven by the opening partnership between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

Across 16 innings, the duo averaged 33.43 and scored runs at an astounding strike rate of 193.84, setting the tone for the rest of the batters. India had a strike rate of 154.56 in the middle overs and 169.39 in the death overs.

However, a change in the opening pair shifted the momentum. The selectors, who are viewing Gill as the next all-format skipper, moved him into the playing XI, where he replaced Samson at the top.

Gill and Abhishek's experiment hasn't worked for India so far. Gill's partnership with Abhishek, on paper, appeared strong, where the duo averaged 39.30 and a strike rate of 183.81, but the numbers didn't tell much.

17:56 (IST) Dec 14

India vs South Africa Live Score: Did You Know? Key Numbers and Milestones Ahead of the Dharamsala T20I

As India and South Africa head into the Dharamsala T20I, a few underlying numbers add extra context to what promises to be a decisive contest.

Since hosting its last men’s T20I in 2022, the HPCA Stadium has seen five IPL matches, with four of them won by the team batting first. The trend suggests that putting runs on the board has been a clear advantage at the venue, something both captains will keep in mind at the toss. With IPL sides regularly crossing the 180-run mark here, batters could again play a central role.

India’s concerns, however, lie in form rather than conditions. Suryakumar Yadav has endured a difficult T20I year, recording eight single-digit scores. Shubman Gill follows next among Indian batters with five such dismissals. With both players central to India’s plans, their returns will be closely watched as the World Cup approaches.

Milestones are also within reach. Hardik Pandya is just one wicket away from completing 100 T20I wickets, a significant landmark for one of India’s key all-rounders. Varun Chakaravarthy, meanwhile, needs one more wicket to reach 50 in the format.

For South Africa, Dewald Brevis is chasing a rare feat. Four more sixes will take him to 100 sixes in T20s in 2025, which would make him only the second South African after Heinrich Klaasen, and the fifth player overall, to achieve the milestone in a single year.

Beyond the result, these numbers add layers to a contest filled with subplots and pressure points.

17:39 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score: 'Surya's form is a bigger concern for India than Gill's'- Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that Suryakumar Yadav's form is a bigger concern for the Men in Blue than Shubman Gill's ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will begin on February 7, 2026, and run through the final on March 8. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the 20-team tournament across 29 days and eight venues (five in India and three in Sri Lanka).

Yadav's form has dipped sharply in T20I cricket. The India T20I captain has scored 201 runs in 19 matches this year, according to ESPNcricinfo. Suryakumar is yet to score a fifty this year in T20Is. The right-handed batter has averaged 14.35 and a strike rate of 126.41.

Gill, on the other hand, is also having a dismal year in T20I cricket. The right-handed batter has made 263 runs in 14 matches this year in the shortest format. Gill is yet to score a fifty. He averages 23.90 and a strike rate of 142.93.

With both batters struggling in T20I cricket this year, Mohammad Kaif feels that India should be more worried about Surya's form rather than Gill's, as a designated captain couldn't be replaced.

"With T20 World Cup round the corner, Surya's form is a bigger concern for India's than Gill's. India has many opening options but a designated captain can't be replaced," the former Indian cricketer wrote on X.

Meanwhile, South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20I, levelling the five-match series 1-1 on December 11. Chasing 214, India's innings ended at 162 runs, giving South Africa a commanding win.

Earlier, the Men in Blue thrashed the Proteas by 101 runs in the opening fixture after the visitors were bundled out for just 74 runs while chasing a 175-run target.

17:19 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score 3rd T20I: Tilak Varma enters Virat Kohli territory in T20Is, numbers will surprise you

Tilak Varma is emerging as a reliable force in T20Is, especially when India is chasing, where only Virat Kohli boasts a higher average. His recent innings, including a fluent 62 against South Africa, underscore his consistent form. Varma has stated he is comfortable batting anywhere between No. 3 and No. 6, emphasising that team requirements come first.

READ FULL STORY

16:57 (IST) Dec 14

India vs South Africa Live Score: Squads!

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana

South Africa Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Tony de Zorzi, Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs

16:56 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score: Dharamsala Third T20I: Experimentation Meets Urgency

India and South Africa enter Dharamsala for the third T20I with experiments and urgency on full display. India have tried Axar Patel higher up, Jitesh Sharma in the lower order, and Hardik Pandya in middle overs. While these moves have had mixed success, limited preparation time for the World Cup adds pressure to settle on the best XI.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill are seeking form, and the potential inclusion of Sanju Samson raises further tactical questions. South Africa, riding the momentum from Chandigarh, still needs clarity over their lower-order batting and pace attack. Tristan Stubbs may return, but the Proteas’ ideal combination remains uncertain.

Dharamsala hasn’t hosted men’s internationals in over two years, but IPL trends indicate high-scoring games, favouring teams batting first. Milestones are also in sight, with Hardik Pandya on the verge of 100 T20I wickets and Dewald Brevis four sixes short of 100 in 2025.

Both teams will use the third T20I as a testing ground, balancing experimentation with urgency to sharpen strategies ahead of the World Cup.

16:56 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score 3rd T20I: South Africa Looks to Consolidate After Chandigarh Win

South Africa’s victory in Chandigarh has boosted confidence, especially with Quinton de Kock back in form. But the Proteas still face questions over their lower-order batting and pace attack. Tristan Stubbs may return, giving more balance, but the side is far from settled.

India’s experiments, including Axar Patel at a higher batting spot, Jitesh Sharma in the lower order, and Hardik Pandya’s middle-over bowling, have delivered mixed results. With Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill under pressure, India must finalise combinations quickly to head into the World Cup with clarity.

Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium hasn’t hosted men’s international cricket since 2022, and past IPL matches suggest high-scoring games. Both teams will look to test their plans, identify strengths, and resolve tactical questions in the chilly conditions. Key milestones, including Hardik Pandya’s 100th T20I wicket and Dewald Brevis approaching 100 sixes in a year, add extra intrigue to the contest.

This match promises to be a critical checkpoint in both teams’ World Cup preparation.

16:55 (IST) Dec 14

India vs South Africa Live Score: India’s Tactical Experiments Under the Spotlight in Dharamsala

India’s approach in the first two T20Is has been bold, with Axar Patel promoted up the order, Jitesh Sharma given opportunities lower down, and Hardik Pandya handling middle-over bowling. While these changes produced mixed results, the team is aware of limited preparation time before the T20 World Cup.

The hosts also face challenges with captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill struggling for consistency. Questions over Sanju Samson’s return and the use of three spinners at the cost of Arshdeep Singh remain. Dharamsala’s conditions may not favour heavy spin, but India have a history of relying on spinners in challenging conditions.

For South Africa, the win in Chandigarh was a boost, but uncertainty over their best pace attack and lower-order batting persists. Tristan Stubbs could return, providing depth, but the Proteas still seek a settled XI.

This third T20I will offer both sides a chance to experiment, sharpen plans, and gain confidence in strategies ahead of the World Cup.

16:54 (IST) Dec 14

IND vs SA Live Score: India and South Africa Locked at 1-1 Ahead of Dharamsala T20I

With the T20I series level at 1-1, India and South Africa arrive in Dharamsala for the third game, both sides keen to sharpen strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup. India have been experimenting, promoting Axar Patel up the order, giving Jitesh Sharma chances at No. 7 and 8, and allowing Hardik Pandya to bowl in the middle overs while frontline pacers manage the powerplay and death. Results have been mixed, leaving questions over whether the experiments should continue.

The lean patches of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill add pressure, and the potential return of Sanju Samson could further alter the lineup. Meanwhile, South Africa gained confidence after their win in Chandigarh, boosted by Quinton de Kock’s form, but their lower-order batting and pace attack are yet to settle.

Dharamsala has historically favoured teams batting first, with IPL matches often crossing 180 runs. Both sides will use this game to test combinations and strategies, aiming for clarity ahead of the World Cup.

India vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: India and South Africa head into the third T20I in Dharamsala with the series poised at 1-1. These early-season clashes, ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, have given both sides valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses, providing a mix of reassurance and caution. India have used the first two matches to experiment, promoting Axar Patel up the order, giving Jitesh Sharma chances at No. 7 and 8, and allowing Hardik Pandya to bowl in the middle overs while frontline pacers take the bulk of duties in the powerplay and death. Results have been mixed, and with limited preparation time left before the World Cup, India face pressure to finalise their combinations, especially with captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill experiencing lean patches. Questions remain over Sanju Samson’s potential return and whether India will revert to a three-spinner strategy at the expense of Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa, meanwhile, gained confidence after a strong win in Chandigarh, boosted by Quinton de Kock’s return to form. However, their squad still has unresolved questions. Lower-order batting depth and the ideal pace attack are yet to be fully tested. Tristan Stubbs may return, and the team will be keen to settle on their best XI before the World Cup.

The Dharamsala venue, which has not hosted a men’s international fixture since February 2022, has historically favoured teams batting first, with IPL matches consistently crossing 180 runs. Key individual milestones are also in sight: Hardik Pandya requires one wicket for 100 T20I scalps, Varun Chakaravarthy needs one for 50, and Dewald Brevis is four sixes shy of 100 in a year. Both teams will be looking to sharpen their strategies and assess combinations in the chilly conditions of Himachal Pradesh as they edge closer to the global tournament.