Cuttack is set to host the first T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium on December 9, 2025. With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, both teams will be aiming to fine-tune their combinations.
Weather Report
The weather forecast for Cuttack indicates a pleasant evening for cricket. There is virtually no chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted match. However, a cool night is expected, with temperatures potentially dropping to around 14 degrees Celsius. Dew is anticipated to be a significant factor, particularly in the latter half of the game, which could influence the team winning the toss to bowl first. There will be mist with maximum temperature of 27.4°C and a minimum of 14.9°C. Sunrise is at 06:10 AM and sunset at 05:06 PM. The humidity is around 64%.
Pitch Report
For the first time in its history, the Barabati Stadium will use a red-soil pitch. This is a departure from the traditional black soil surface. Red soil generally provides more pace and bounce, which should encourage batsmen to play their shots. The pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, potentially leading to a high-scoring contest. The average first innings score at this venue has been 140 in previous T20Is, but expectations are that this match could see a significantly higher score. Some reports suggest that a score of around 200 might be needed for a team to feel secure while defending.
The red-soil wicket is likely to provide good bounce and carry, benefiting fast bowlers, especially in the initial overs. However, dew could make it challenging for bowlers to grip the ball in the second innings. Spin bowlers will be hoping that if their captain wins the toss, they get an opportunity to bowl in drier conditions.
India has a poor record against South Africa at this venue in T20Is, losing both previous encounters. The team will be keen to improve this record in the series opener.
Team News and Strategy
Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are expected to return to the Indian side after recovering from injuries. Jasprit Bumrah is also set to make a comeback after being rested for the ODI series. South Africa welcomes back David Miller to their full-strength squad, which will be captained by Aiden Markram. Anrich Nortje is also making a comeback.
Given the expected conditions, the team winning the toss is likely to opt to bowl first to take advantage of the dew factor in the second innings. A minimum score of 210-220 has been suggested for the team batting first to put pressure on the opposition.
