DHARAMSALA, India: The stage is set for a pivotal clash as India and South Africa face off in the third T20I on Sunday, with the five-match series tantalizingly poised at 1-1.
The encounter comes with the hosts under unexpected pressure following a rare and significant home defeat in New Chandigarh, which has ignited South Africa’s belief in scripting a remarkable tour turnaround.
South Africa’s victory at New Chandigarh on Thursday was a statistical anomaly for a dominant Indian side, marking only their third loss in 17 matches this year and their first defeat after winning a toss since January.
The result has forced India into a period of introspection, raising tactical questions around batting order promotions and the urgent need for captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill to find form with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Resilient South African Fightback
From a stunning Test series win to pushing the ODI leg to a decider, South Africa has consistently pushed India into corners throughout this extended tour.
Their ability to target India’s premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 45 runs without loss off his four overs in the last match, proved a masterstroke in levelling the T20I series.
While India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy remains a potent threat, South Africa has demonstrated they can win key battles.
Key Duel: Bumrah vs. Ferreira Round Two
A highly anticipated sub-plot will be the rematch between Bumrah and South Africa’s power-hitter Donovan Ferreira.
In New Chandigarh, Ferreira authored a stunning assault, smashing 17 runs off just 6 balls against Bumrah, the best strike rate any batter has managed against the Indian spearhead in a T20I. His two sixes in that over were pivotal.
With Bumrah bowling at the death and Ferreira stationed in the lower middle-order, their Sunday confrontation could once again decide the match’s outcome.
Team News and Venue Dynamics
India is unlikely to tinker heavily with a winning formula, though conditions may prompt a review of batting depth or spin options.
South Africa, meanwhile, may welcome back speedster Anrich Nortje to bolster their attack.
The match will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, a ground historically favourable to chasing teams.
Cold evening temperatures, potentially dipping into single digits, could offer unexpected seam movement, adding a fresh challenge for both sides in this crucial series pivot.
Squads
India (probable): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Aiden Markram (capt.), 3 Tristan Stubbs/ Reeza Hendricks, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Donovan Ferreira, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 George Linde/ Keshav Maharaj, 9 Lungi Ngidi/ Corbin Borsch, 10 Ottneil Baartman, 11 Anrich Nortje/ Lutho Sipamla
