Dharamshala, December 14, 2025 - After a lackluster performance in the second T20I, India's seamers roared back in style, dismantling South Africa's batting lineup and securing a convincing seven-wicket victory in the third T20I. The win, staged in the chilly climes of Dharamshala, handed India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The turnaround was orchestrated by a brilliant display of seam bowling, a stark contrast to the previous match where the Indian pacers struggled with their discipline. Arshdeep Singh, who had a forgettable outing in Mullanpur, led the charge with a Test-match quality opening spell, exploiting the swing on offer in the cold, high-altitude conditions. His figures of 2/13 in four overs were instrumental in setting the tone for the innings.

Arshdeep's opening partner, Harshit Rana, replacing Jasprit Bumrah who was absent due to personal reasons, proved to be equally effective. Rana's ability to extract extra pace and movement from the surface kept the South African batsmen on their toes, and he finished with 2/34. The pressure created by the two pacers resulted in early wickets, leaving South Africa reeling at 7-3 in the early stages of their innings.

South Africa struggled to recover from the early onslaught. Captain Aiden Markram offered some resistance with a fighting 61 off 46 balls, but he lacked support as wickets fell around him. Hardik Pandya also contributed with the ball, claiming his 100th T20I wicket. The South African innings eventually folded for a paltry 117 in 20 overs.

The Indian spin attack also played its part in stifling the South African innings. Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin accounted for two crucial middle-order wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the final over.

Chasing a modest target, India's batsmen made light work of the chase. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a blistering start, racing to 43-0 in just 3.1 overs. Sharma, in particular, was aggressive, smashing 35 off just 18 balls. Although there was a slight stutter in the middle overs, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding India to victory with 25 balls to spare. Dube sealed the win with a six, finishing on 10 not out.

The victory was a significant boost for India, who are preparing for the T20 World Cup at home in February. After a disappointing performance in the second T20I, the team needed to bounce back strongly, and the seamers led the way with an outstanding display of controlled aggression and skillful execution. Arshdeep Singh was named player of the match for his efforts.

While the Indian seamers will be lauded for their performance in this match, consistent performance from the top order will be expected in the upcoming matches. The fourth T20I is scheduled to be held in Lucknow on December 17, where India will aim to seal the series.