India (120/3) register a 7-wicket win over South Africa (117) in 3rd T20I at HPCA Stadium

[The Bald Eagle]

With an unexpected triumph from Saffers, the series remain poised at 1-1. So which team will take the lead in the series in the 3rd T20I?

The countdown is over at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, where the latest chapter of the South Africa in India, 5 T20I Series, 2025 is about to unfold as India cross swords against South Africa in a match that is expected to be spectacular.

Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.

South Africa: 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.

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[The Bald Eagle]

India should drop Gill and Ritesh for Sanju and Rinku

 

[harshjoshi87]

Garbage Gill who hasn't scored a 50 in last 17 T20I innings should be dropped permanently.

Ideal combination for T20 World Cup 2026

1. Samson
2. Abhishek
3. Tilak
4. Surya /Shreyas
5. Hardik
6. Rinku
7. Dube
8. Axar
9. Bumrah
10. Kuldeep
11. Chakravarthy

 

[The Bald Eagle]

O yes, kick out this overactor captain too...even Ro-Ko would be a better replacement

Garbage Gill who hasn't scored a 50 in last 17 T20I innings should be dropped permanently.

Ideal combination for T20 World Cup 2026

1. Samson
2. Abhishek
3. Tilak
4. Surya /Shreyas
5. Hardik
6. Rinku
7. Dube
8. Axar
9. Bumrah
10. Kuldeep
11. Chakravarthy

 

[sweep_shot]

South Africa should make it 2-1.

 

[Rana]

Gill Gill

Pakistaaaaaa


Jaa jaa

Pakistaaaaaa

 

[CricVet]

The 2 sides have won each batting first. Let see if someone chases to win this time. Indians might be better chasers at home. SA has been far more uncomfortable playing spin - especially Yadav.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

SKY is a completely useless player now. The quicker India throw him out the better it is for them. Tilak Varma should be batting at No. 3. Get Jaiswal opening with Abhishek. Get Iyer, Pant and Riyan Parag in the middle-order.

 

[Ab Fan]

Gauti should be sued for his injustice against Samson and continuous illogical backing of Gill in T20I cricket. Extremely pathetic selection!

 

[Ab Fan]

Abhishek
Samson(wk)
Tilak
SKY
Hardik
Dube
Rinku
Axar
Kuldeep/ Varun
Arshdeep
Bumrah

 

[sweep_shot]

Dharmasala is a beautiful ground.

It would be even more beautiful if SA beat India.

 

[BouncerGuy]

No abhishek, no party for india.. India just want abhishek to fire otherwise they are not confident apart from Tilak and Hardik maybe.

 

[sweep_shot]

No abhishek, no party for india.. India just want abhishek to fire otherwise they are not confident apart from Tilak and Hardik maybe.

India already became a mid-tier team in Test.

I expect them to become mid-tier in ODI and T20 also once their older players retire.

Abhishek is an untested hack. I think teams should eventually figure him out.

Tilak is good. He is a proper batter.

 

[Ab Fan]

Dharmasala is a beautiful ground.

It would be even more beautiful if SA beat India.

Waah Waah! Kya shauk hai!

 

[harshjoshi87]

No abhishek, no party for india.. India just want abhishek to fire otherwise they are not confident apart from Tilak and Hardik maybe.

Gambhir, Garbage Gill & out of form Surya should be blamed for this.

Samson/Jaiswal & Shreyas should walk in the T20I XI.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Dharmasala is a beautiful ground.

It would be even more beautiful if SA beat India.

Much obliged as per half your post you saw at least something +ve in India....Maybe the meds hav'nt taken effect yet

 

[RidiculousMan]

A better XI would be;

1. Abhishek
2. Sanju (wk)
3. Tilak
4. Sky (c)
5. Pandya
6. Rinku
7. Axar
8. Kuldeep
9. Varun
10. Bumrah
11. Arshdeep

 

[BouncerGuy]

THREAD IS NOT ABOUT PAKISTAN
STAY ON TOPIC

 

[harshjoshi87]

Gambhir's favorite Harshit will most certainly replace Arshdeep.

 

[harshjoshi87]

A better XI would be;

1. Abhishek
2. Sanju (wk)
3. Tilak
4. Sky (c)
5. Pandya
6. Rinku
7. Axar
8. Kuldeep
9. Varun
10. Bumrah
11. Arshdeep

India likes batting depth, so Dube in place of Arshdeep.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

India likes batting depth, so Dube in place of Arshdeep.

i think both will play. conditions to assist swing and seam bowling.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Bad time to host a match here at this venue. WIll be very cold.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

India have been great at this venue since 2023, would be favorites if no Harshit Rana

 

[Hitman]

They have already won the battle by winning the Test series.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

They have already won the battle by winning the Test series.

Yes, the prize that actually mattered

 

[Hitman]

Yes, the prize that actually mattered

Absolutely! A monkey can actually win the ODI and T20 series, not like anyone cares.​

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Absolutely! A monkey can actually win the ODI and T20 series, not like anyone cares.​

Yes, bearing in mind recent record against Saffers. But hardly any can win or draw series against them

 

[BDfanforever]

4 day gap over T20 matches.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Wonder which genius saw it ok to schedule match in december in Dharmshala,
My cousin who visited nearby small towns of triund, Boh valley and kareri about 10 days back said its absolutely close to freezing and the nights are easily below 5 deg.
It wont be easy for slips fielders and also in outfield to stop shots or even take catches.

 

[jnaveen1980]

All eyes on Gill. Pressure is on him. He might go on to stapad

 

[jnaveen1980]

 

[BouncerGuy]

Surya giving tough competition to his arch-rival Salman.

But anyway, india really needs him to fire otherwise they are literally playing with 9 guys as Gill is also there..

 

[jnaveen1980]

Surya giving tough competition to his arch-rival Salman.

But anyway, india really needs him to fire otherwise they are literally playing with 9 guys as Gill is also there..

To think that this guy played Tests and ODI it is not digestable. HOnestly India's full potential may never be realized due to PR campaigns. Once they get enough sponsorships they will ensure you are part of the side. Player doesn't have to do anything. That is how Gill walked back into this side. There must be dozen T20 batsmen that are better than Gill. They made him VC so that he doesn't get dropped. SKY is there in the side mainly due to these sponsors, Mumbai INdians connection. Given his age he should have been dropped long back.

 

[harshjoshi87]

They have already won the battle by winning the Test series.

Lost the test series because of arrogant Gambhir's selection policies.

Should be thrown out asap, he is damaging the World Champion T20 team too.

 

[harshjoshi87]

As long as garbage gill is in the side, India will keep losing.

SKY needs to score some runs, or else Shreyas should come back & captain the side.

 

[Ab Fan]

Wonder which genius saw it ok to schedule match in december in Dharmshala,
My cousin who visited nearby small towns of triund, Boh valley and kareri about 10 days back said its absolutely close to freezing and the nights are easily below 5 deg.
It wont be easy for slips fielders and also in outfield to stop shots or even take catches.

A bit exaggerated comment, the lowest is 8 degrees so it isn’t absolutely freezing tbh.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

A bit exaggerated comment, the lowest is 8 degrees so it isn’t absolutely freezing tbh.

Well, i have also been there a few times. The temp drops and picks up very quickly, there is always rapid movement up and down. not uncommon for sub 5 deg this time of the year, especially at nights. TBH they should have played a day game - this would have been more conducive.

 

[globetrotter]

1/1 SA

 

[globetrotter]

2nd wicket down for SA... India on yop

 

[globetrotter]

2nd wicket down for SA... India on yop

Top

 

[Devadwal]

South Africa 2-2 in 2 over

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Saffers have been beyond pathetic

Dropping Miller playing Hendricks

2-2 in 2 overs serves them right

 

[Rana]

What a waste

This pitch looks so good for batting.

This is what happens when you play stupid batters like Hendricks who just let bowlers bowl on their lengths!

 

[globetrotter]

SA - 7/3 choking started

India on top

 

[jnaveen1980]

Off color Bumrah excluded himself for personal reasons. Harshit is doing all the damage with new ball.

 

[cricfan432]

India winning due to bowling on helpful pitches instead of outgunning the opposition with their hard hitting youngsters, sad thing. I think they realized africa got better fire power in batting

 

[Vikram1989]

Brevis seems to be raina clone.cant play bounce at all.

 

[cricfan432]

Ball still moving after 5 overs

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Game over in the powerplay

 

[Deewana Mastana]

What a waste

This pitch looks so good for batting.

This is what happens when you play stupid batters like Hendricks who just let bowlers bowl on their lengths!

Hendricks should only play against Pakistan, the only bogey team he smashes mostly.

 

[globetrotter]

Ball still moving after 5 overs

BCCI installed invisible fans

 

[Usman Chadda]

South Africa have been completely shut down tonight.

It’s like they are in shock.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Think this is a seamer friendly pitch, not easy to bat on.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What a waste

This pitch looks so good for batting.

This is what happens when you play stupid batters like Hendricks who just let bowlers bowl on their lengths!

Such a useless player.

I can't believe his career is still going. He's 36

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Think this is a seamer friendly pitch, not easy to bat on.

Looks like a terrible toss to lose

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Dharamshala outfield looking good compared to the World Cup, two years ago

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Looks like a terrible toss to lose

Let's see. There was dew from ball 1, so this may not get easier in the 2nd innings either.

But SA need some scoreboard pressure

 

[Deewana Mastana]

That's gone out of the park Ferriera

 

[jnaveen1980]

Looks like a terrible toss to lose

It will be like this all evening. SA will get just as much help.

 

[globetrotter]

Arshdeep dropped a sitter.... Now he started playing from SA

 

[jnaveen1980]

Asa usual Indian fielding is letting their bowlers down. Already two easy catches put down. One off Markram, one off Donovan Both are still batting.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

5 wickets by pacers have seen 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.3 and 1 degrees of seam movement.

Tough conditions. Above 0.75 is tough even in Test cricket

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Such a useless player.

I can't believe his career is still going. He's 36

Don't worry he's a gold pick for PSL.

 

[jnaveen1980]

120 is a defendable total here. But will they reach there.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Ferriera bowled up and 50 T20i wickets for Chakaravarthy

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Let's see. There was dew from ball 1, so this may not get easier in the 2nd innings either.

But SA need some scoreboard pressure

It will be like this all evening. SA will get just as much help.

Just started watching. Even 120 could make the match interesting. But South Africa right now seem like they might not even get to 100.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

120 is a defendable total here. But will they reach there.

Doubt it's a defendable total but they won't get there.

 

[jnaveen1980]

But who will expose Gill if SA puts up a low total.

 

[globetrotter]

69/6..... SA

 

[jnaveen1980]

A low total chase is not good for India in the long run. We need Gill out of the side. For that we need more failures.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Just started watching. Even 120 might make the match interesting. But South Africa right now seem like they might not even get to 100.

Yeah that's the problem. India can control the chase knowing they don't have to take risks.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Don't worry he's a gold pick for PSL.

Yes, I remember Multan Sultans making the very 'on-brand' choice of selecting him a few seasons back

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

A low total chase is not good for India in the long run. We need Gill out of the side. For that we need more failures.

Pitches like these in general are not good for T20 cricket.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Dharamshala outfield looking good compared to the World Cup, two years ago

I was thinking the same thing. Looked pretty horrible in some of the 2023 World Cup matches

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pitches like these in general are not good for T20 cricket.

It is not the pitch. More the conditions. Temperatures are in single digits.It is that time of the year.

 

[Usman Chadda]

All three games so far have been one-sided

 

[globetrotter]

It is not the pitch. More the conditions. Temperatures are in single digits.It is that time of the year.

IMO Dharmashala is always in single digit

 

[globetrotter]

77-7 .... SA .... India on top

 

[jnaveen1980]

On this wicket seamers getting success is no surprise. But Varun hardly has any purchase with wet ball still bamboozled them. No.1 ranked bowler for ar eason

 

[CricVet]

IND should win it by the 10th over.