Riding the momentum of an impressive ODI series win over South Africa, India now shifts focus to a five-match T20I showdown beginning on Tuesday, December 9, in Cuttack. 

The series brings plenty of buzz — and much of it surrounds the return of India’s T20I vice-captain and Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill, who has been declared fit after a neck injury sidelined him from the opening Test. 

Come Tuesday, Shubman Gill will aim to regain his form in the upcoming five-match T20I series, ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka, starting on February 7.

Team India also welcomes back star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whose comeback adds both depth and balance to the squad. 

After missing the Australia tour with a quadriceps injury, Pandya is set to rejoin the action at home and bolster India in all departments.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, fresh off a successful campaign in Australia, the Men in Blue will look to seize the early advantage in the opener at Barabati Stadium.

Another Gujarat Titans standout, Washington Sundar, is expected to play a key role. In his previous T20I series, Sundar showcased his all-round value with 61 runs at a blistering strike rate of 203.33, along with three wickets in as many games.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, will aim to challenge the hosts despite missing their spearhead and Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada.

After the opener in Cuttack, the action moves to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh for the second T20I on December 11. 

The picturesque Dharamsala hosts the third clash on December 14, followed by the fourth game in Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium on December 17. 

The series finale is scheduled at Gujarat Titans’ fortress, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.

With key players returning and both sides hungry for momentum, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling T20I contest. 

India vs South Africa T20I 2025 schedule and live match start times

Tuesday, December 09

1st T20I

Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

07:00 PM

Thursday, December 11

2nd T20I

New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, New Chandigarh

07:00 PM

Sunday, December 14

3rd T20I

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala

07:00 PM

Wednesday, December 17

4th T20I

Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

07:00 PM

Friday, December 19

5th T20I

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

07:00 PM

India vs South Africa head-to-head record in T20Is

India and South Africa have played 31 T20 Internationals (T20Is) against each other so far. India have registered 18 victories, while the Proteas have recorded 12 wins while one match ended in no result.

The last time these two sides met in the similar format, India secured a 3-1 series win over the Proteas in South Africa in November 2024.

India vs South Africa squads for 1st T20I

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Tilak Varma, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar

South Africa: Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs

Upcoming milestones to keep an eye on

  • Shubman Gill needs 18 runs to complete 4,000 runs in T20 international cricket.
  • Jasprit Bumrah is 1 wicket away to complete 100 wickets in T20I cricket.
  • Sanju Samson is 4 runs away from notching up 8,000 runs in T20Is.
  • Suryakumar Yadav needs 59 runs to record 9,000 runs in T20I cricket.

Where to watch India vs South Africa 1st T20I live 

The India vs South Africa T20I 2025 series will be telecast live on Star Sports Network’s TV channels.

Live streaming of the IND vs SA T20I 2025 series will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.