IND vs SA Live: Will India bounce back in the 3rd T20I?

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana

South Africa Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), 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

India and South Africa enter Dharamsala for the third T20I with experiments and urgency on full display. India have tried Axar Patel higher up, Jitesh Sharma in the lower order, and Hardik Pandya in middle overs. While these moves have had mixed success, limited preparation time for the World Cup adds pressure to settle on the best XI.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill are seeking form, and the potential inclusion of Sanju Samson raises further tactical questions. South Africa, riding the momentum from Chandigarh, still needs clarity over their lower-order batting and pace attack. Tristan Stubbs may return, but the Proteas’ ideal combination remains uncertain.

Dharamsala hasn’t hosted men’s internationals in over two years, but IPL trends indicate high-scoring games, favouring teams batting first. Milestones are also in sight, with Hardik Pandya on the verge of 100 T20I wickets and Dewald Brevis four sixes short of 100 in 2025.

Both teams will use the third T20I as a testing ground, balancing experimentation with urgency to sharpen strategies ahead of the World Cup.

South Africa’s victory in Chandigarh has boosted confidence, especially with Quinton de Kock back in form. But the Proteas still face questions over their lower-order batting and pace attack. Tristan Stubbs may return, giving more balance, but the side is far from settled.

India’s experiments, including Axar Patel at a higher batting spot, Jitesh Sharma in the lower order, and Hardik Pandya’s middle-over bowling, have delivered mixed results. With Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill under pressure, India must finalise combinations quickly to head into the World Cup with clarity.

Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium hasn’t hosted men’s international cricket since 2022, and past IPL matches suggest high-scoring games. Both teams will look to test their plans, identify strengths, and resolve tactical questions in the chilly conditions. Key milestones, including Hardik Pandya’s 100th T20I wicket and Dewald Brevis approaching 100 sixes in a year, add extra intrigue to the contest.

This match promises to be a critical checkpoint in both teams’ World Cup preparation.

India’s approach in the first two T20Is has been bold, with Axar Patel promoted up the order, Jitesh Sharma given opportunities lower down, and Hardik Pandya handling middle-over bowling. While these changes produced mixed results, the team is aware of limited preparation time before the T20 World Cup.

The hosts also face challenges with captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill struggling for consistency. Questions over Sanju Samson’s return and the use of three spinners at the cost of Arshdeep Singh remain. Dharamsala’s conditions may not favour heavy spin, but India have a history of relying on spinners in challenging conditions.

For South Africa, the win in Chandigarh was a boost, but uncertainty over their best pace attack and lower-order batting persists. Tristan Stubbs could return, providing depth, but the Proteas still seek a settled XI.

This third T20I will offer both sides a chance to experiment, sharpen plans, and gain confidence in strategies ahead of the World Cup.

With the T20I series level at 1-1, India and South Africa arrive in Dharamsala for the third game, both sides keen to sharpen strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup. India have been experimenting, promoting Axar Patel up the order, giving Jitesh Sharma chances at No. 7 and 8, and allowing Hardik Pandya to bowl in the middle overs while frontline pacers manage the powerplay and death. Results have been mixed, leaving questions over whether the experiments should continue.

The lean patches of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill add pressure, and the potential return of Sanju Samson could further alter the lineup. Meanwhile, South Africa gained confidence after their win in Chandigarh, boosted by Quinton de Kock’s form, but their lower-order batting and pace attack are yet to settle.

Dharamsala has historically favoured teams batting first, with IPL matches often crossing 180 runs. Both sides will use this game to test combinations and strategies, aiming for clarity ahead of the World Cup.