Dharamsala, December 14, 2025 - The scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala is set to host a crucial third T20I match between India and South Africa, with the series evenly poised at 1-1. After a dominant 101-run victory in the opening match, India faced a setback, losing the second game by 51 runs in Mullanpur. Both teams are eager to take the lead in this five-match series, with the next two games scheduled in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. The toss is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST.

The weather in Dharamsala is expected to be cool and cloudy. The temperature is expected to hover around 10°C. There is no rain expected. The HPCA Stadium pitch generally favors fast bowlers early in the match due to the cold weather and thin mountain air that encourages swing and seam movement. However, the pitch tends to even out as the innings progresses, rewarding well-timed strokes. The high altitude of the stadium also makes it easier to hit sixes.

All eyes will be on India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and vice-captain, Shubman Gill, who are both looking to regain their form. Gill, in particular, has faced scrutiny, with questions raised about his place in the squad. Tilak Varma has been a consistent performer for India, but the team has been heavily reliant on Abhishek Sharma for quick starts.

South Africa will be looking to repeat their strong performance from the second T20I, where Quinton de Kock's brilliant 90 propelled them to a formidable total. The South African bowling attack, led by Ottneil Baartman, who took four wickets in the previous match, will aim to maintain their momentum.

Both teams have announced their squads for the series.

• India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana.
• South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Reeza Hendricks, 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.

With the series on the line, both India and South Africa will be aiming for victory in this crucial encounter at the HPCA Stadium.