India And South Africa enter the third T20I of their series locked at 1-1, treating this showdown in Dharamsala as vital preparation for the next T20 World Cup. India crushed the first match by 101 runs, pushed by Hardik PandyaSouth Africa’s overall dominance, but South Africa hit back in the second half with a 51-point victory fueled by Quinton de KockThe 90s are explosive. Both sides tested bold experiments – India promoting Axar Patel ordering and testing Jitesh Sharma lower, giving mixed results in the middle Suryakumar YadavThe meager patch of eight single-digit T20I scores this year.
India grapples with scheduling adjustments, even recovery Sanju Samson or rely on spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy despite the pace characteristics of the venue, while Pandya approaches 100 T20I wickets. South Africa are building on De Kock’s revival but seeking lower-order clarity of pace and muscle, with Aiden Markram prioritize World Cup-ready rotations. Key quotes highlight mindset shift: India assistant coach urges Shubman Gil playing freely like in IPL, and Markram highlighting the best XI for the mega event.
Prime clash pit Abhishek Sharmaaggression against Marco Jansen‘s bounce, while intermediate battles feature Jasprit Bumrahcontrol of David Millerfinishing power and Dewald Brévis close to 100 T20 sixes this year. Both captains are sweating over their combinations in these matches leading up to the World Cup, hoping that Dharamsala will give more accurate information without drastic overhauls.
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Date and time | December 14; 7:00 p.m. IST / 1:30 p.m. GMT |
| Place | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala |
| Face to face registration (T20I) | India hold a strong advantage, winning 19 of the 32 matches played, while South Africa have won 13 (NR: 1). |
HPCA stadium presentation report
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala features a high altitude venue with lively bounce and real carry, favoring fast bowlers in the powerplay due to the cooler December air and elevation effects. Recent IPL encounters here have produced high-scoring thrillers, with teams regularly surpassing 180 runs and four of the five matches since the last T20I in 2022 won by the teams batting first. Expect a flat track rewarding aggressive mid-round hitting, although evening dew could make chasing easier, making the draw crucial. Spinners may find grip early but struggle later, tipping conditions towards a par score of 170-190.
ALSO READ: IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Dharamsala pitch report, weather forecast and dew factor
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Match of the Day Prediction
Case 1:
- India wins the toss and bats first
- India power play score: 60-70
- India’s total score: 210-220
Case 2:
- South Africa wins the toss and bats first
- South Africa power play score: 50-60
- South Africa total score: 200-210
Match result: The team strikes first to win the competition
ALSO READ: IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Dharamsala pitch report, stats and records from HPCA International Stadium
