India’s cricketing juggernaut rolled on in style as the Men in Blue delivered a commanding seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20 International at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on December 15, 2025. With this victory, India surged to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, putting themselves in pole position ahead of the crucial fourth encounter in Lucknow. The result also underscored the team’s growing confidence as they prepare to defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil in February 2026.
After a shock defeat in the second T20I, Suryakumar Yadav’s side responded with clarity and discipline, dominating both innings of the contest. Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off handsomely as their fast bowlers made early inroads into the South African lineup. The visitors, put under immediate pressure, crumbled to 7-3 inside the first four overs—a mirror image of their lowest-ever T20I score threat from earlier in the series.
South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram found himself in the eye of the storm, watching wickets tumble at the other end. But Markram, ever the fighter, showcased composure and resilience. He crafted a determined 61 off 46 deliveries, peppered with two sixes and six fours. His knock was the only substantial resistance as the rest of the batting order failed to adapt to the lively conditions. Markram’s innings ensured South Africa avoided another unwanted record, helping them reach 117 before being caught behind off Arshdeep Singh. "We needed someone to bat through, and I tried to hold things together," Markram said after the match, according to AP.
India’s bowlers were relentless. Arshdeep Singh set the tone with a clinical spell, taking 2-13 in his four overs. The young Harshit Rana, replacing Jasprit Bumrah who missed the game for personal reasons, grabbed his opportunity with both hands and finished with 2-34. Kuldeep Yadav was particularly effective in the middle overs, picking up 2-12 in just two overs and capping South Africa’s innings by dismissing Ottneil Baartman off the last ball. The support cast of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube kept the pressure on, ensuring South Africa never built any momentum.
Hardik Pandya, in particular, had more than just the scoreboard to smile about. The all-rounder notched his 100th T20I wicket during the match, becoming only the third Indian to reach the milestone. Earlier in the series, he had also become the fourth Indian to hit 100 sixes in T20Is. With just 61 runs needed to reach 2000 T20I runs, Pandya is on the cusp of yet another milestone, poised to be the fifth Indian to do so. His unique achievement as the first Indian fast-bowling all-rounder to record both 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is sets him apart in the team’s rich history.
When it came time to chase, India’s openers wasted no time in setting the tone. Abhishek Sharma blazed away with a rapid 35 off just 18 balls, putting the South African bowlers on the back foot right from the outset. Shubman Gill, returning after a minor injury scare, played the anchor role with a composed 28. Together, they raced to 43 without loss in just over three overs—the same stage at which South Africa had been reeling at 7-3. Their 60-run partnership all but erased any doubts about the outcome.
South Africa’s bowlers tried to claw back into the contest. Markram showcased his athleticism by taking a sharp running catch to dismiss Sharma off Corbin Bosch’s bowling, while Marco Jansen bowled Gill with a delivery that kept low. Lungi Ngidi managed to dismiss India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav for 12, caught by Baartman, but it was too little, too late.
Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube made sure there were no late stumbles. Varma played with maturity beyond his years, finishing unbeaten on 26, while Dube chipped in with 10 not out. India crossed the finish line in just 15.5 overs, ending on 120-3 and sealing a comfortable win with more than four overs to spare. The chase was executed with the kind of professionalism and intent that has become the hallmark of this Indian side in recent years.
The victory not only gave India a 2-1 advantage in the series but also provided significant momentum heading into the fourth T20I in Lucknow. For South Africa, the defeat laid bare lingering concerns about their batting depth and adaptability in challenging conditions. With two matches left, they now find themselves in a must-win situation to keep their hopes alive in the series.
“We have to regroup quickly and find a way to counter their bowlers in the next game,” South Africa’s coach said in the post-match press conference. The series, unpredictable as ever, has seen wild swings in momentum—South Africa bounced back from a 101-run defeat in the opener to win the second T20I by 51 runs, only to be outplayed once again in Dharamsala.
Beyond the immediate context of the series, this tour has been a thorough examination for both squads. Earlier, India clinched the ODI series 2-1, while South Africa dominated the Test series 2-0. The T20 leg, however, carries extra weight as both teams fine-tune their combinations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, which kicks off in India on February 7, 2026. India, as defending champions after their dramatic triumph over South Africa in the 2024 final, have built an impressive record: 15 wins in 20 T20Is this year, and 28 victories in 35 matches since lifting the trophy last year.
Looking ahead, the fourth T20I in Lucknow on December 17 looms as a potential series decider. Suryakumar Yadav’s men will be eager to seal the series with a game to spare, while South Africa will be desperate to keep their title hopes alive. For Hardik Pandya, the coming matches offer a shot at yet another personal milestone, adding extra intrigue to the contest.
As the action shifts to Lucknow, fans can expect another high-octane clash in a series that has already delivered plenty of twists and turns. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon and India’s form peaking at just the right time, the stage is set for more fireworks in what’s shaping up to be a memorable rivalry.
