India and South Africa are set for another intense battle as they face off in the fourth T20I of the ongoing five-match series. With the hosts currently holding a 2–1 advantage, this encounter presents a golden opportunity for India to seal the series, while South Africa will be desperate to stay alive.
The match will be played on Wednesday evening at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, a venue where India have enjoyed consistent success in the shortest format.
Match Details
| Match | India vs South Africa, 4th T20I |
|---|---|
| Series | South Africa Tour of India 2025 |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, December 17 – 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Live Telecast | JioStar Network & JioHotstar |
Pitch Report – Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
The Lucknow surface traditionally offers assistance to bowlers, particularly spinners as the match progresses. Batting becomes tricky under lights, making run-chases challenging. Teams batting first have enjoyed more success here, and a total around 160–170 could prove competitive.
Weather Report
The weather in Lucknow is forecast to be clear throughout the evening. There is no threat of rain, ensuring uninterrupted play.
| Temperature | 18°C – 22°C |
|---|---|
| Humidity | Around 55% |
| Rain Probability | 0% |
IND vs SA Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 20 | 13 | 1 |
Probable Playing XIs
India
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah / Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa
Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
Top Players to Watch
- Suryakumar Yadav: India’s captain will look to rediscover his best form ahead of upcoming global events.
- Hardik Pandya: His all-round role could be crucial on a slow Lucknow pitch.
- Aiden Markram: South Africa’s skipper brings balance with bat and ball.
- Quinton de Kock: A dangerous opener capable of changing the game in the powerplay.
Dream11 Fantasy Team Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Quinton de Kock, Jitesh Sharma |
| Batsmen | Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, David Miller |
| All-rounders | Hardik Pandya, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen |
| Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje |
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya
Match Prediction
Considering India’s strong record at Lucknow, familiarity with conditions, and momentum from the previous match, the hosts enter as favourites. South Africa possess firepower but must overcome batting inconsistencies to challenge effectively.
Predicted Winner: India 🏆
