The stage is set for another thrilling encounter as India and South Africa gear up for the fourth T20 International of their five-match series at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on December 17, 2025. With India currently holding a 2-1 lead, the Men in Blue are just one win away from sealing the series, while the Proteas are desperate to level the score and force a decider. The stakes couldn’t be higher, especially with the T20 World Cup looming just around the corner.
India’s journey in this series has been a classic see-saw battle. The hosts started strong, capitalizing on a South African batting collapse in Cuttack to take the opening match. South Africa, however, struck back in Mullanpur, delivering a commanding 51-run victory that highlighted their potential to turn the tables at any moment. The third T20 in Dharamsala saw Indian bowlers once again dismantle the South African lineup, restricting them to 117 all out after a precarious 7-3 start. The Indian chase was clinical under the floodlights, as Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 35 off 18 balls and Shubman Gill’s 28 set the tone before Tilak Varma (26 not out) and Shivam Dube (10 not out) guided India home with 120-3 in just 15.5 overs.
South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram was the lone bright spot in that third match, compiling a gritty 46 off 46 balls, peppered with two sixes and six fours. His resistance was finally broken when he was caught behind off Arshdeep Singh, who finished with impressive figures of 2-13 from his four overs. Harshit Rana, stepping in for Jasprit Bumrah, claimed 2-34, while Kuldeep Yadav’s 2-12 included the final wicket of Ottneil Baartman. Despite Markram’s efforts, South Africa’s total was well below par, and India’s openers ensured there would be no drama in the chase.
But all eyes are now on Lucknow, where the series could be decided. India’s probable playing XI looks set to remain unchanged, with Axar Patel ruled out due to illness and Bumrah’s status still uncertain. The predicted lineup features Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. On the South African side, the expected XI includes Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman.
The Lucknow pitch is anticipated to favor batters early on, raising hopes for a high-scoring contest. South Africa will be banking on Quinton de Kock to replicate his sensational 90 off 46 balls from the second T20I. For India, the spotlight is firmly on skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who has led the team to victory in over 80% of matches under his captaincy but is still searching for consistent form with the bat. As the T20 World Cup approaches, India will be eager for their captain to rediscover his touch and provide stability at the top of the order.
One subplot that has gripped fans and pundits alike is the form of India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill. Gill has struggled to make an impact, with scores of 0, 4, and 28 in the ongoing series and no half-centuries in his last 21 white-ball games for India. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin voiced his concerns, stating, “I am a little concerned. Shubman is not only the opener but also the vice-captain. How will you remove the vice-captain? It is going to be an incredibly tough decision.” Ashwin emphasized the importance of giving Gill a fair run but warned, “If he does not perform in the five games (against South Africa), then a decision will have to be made.”
Ashwin also highlighted the dilemma facing the team management: “You should be knowing your best XI and best squad for the T20 World Cup. The only question is, if Shubman doesn’t make the runs, should he be there or should Samson be playing. The only unfortunate thing from here on I do not want to see is Gill making runs at a lesser strike rate. That should not happen.” With the T20 World Cup squad announcement looming in early January, every run and every decision in this series could have far-reaching consequences.
India’s dominance in the T20 format is undeniable. The team has won 20 out of 34 T20Is against South Africa, compared to the Proteas’ 13 victories. In 2025 alone, India has secured 15 wins out of 20 T20Is, losing just three with two no-results. The broader context is even more impressive: India is the only team to have featured in every edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, boasting a record of 35 wins and 15 losses, two titles (2007 and 2024), and a runners-up finish in 2014. The 2024 triumph was especially historic, as India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup without losing a single completed match.
Looking ahead, India will host New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is in January 2026 before embarking on their T20 World Cup campaign. The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, kicks off on February 7, with India’s first match against the USA. The squad for the World Cup is expected to be announced in the first week of January, in line with ICC regulations.
For now, though, all attention is on the present. The fourth T20I promises to be a pivotal clash, broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioHotstar app and website from 7 PM IST. The toss is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, and fans are bracing for another intense showdown under the Lucknow lights.
Will India seal the series and march confidently toward another World Cup campaign, or will South Africa fight back to set up a grand finale? With both teams hungry for momentum and individual players battling for their spots, Wednesday night’s contest is set to be a must-watch. The outcome may not be certain, but the anticipation and drama are guaranteed to keep cricket fans on the edge of their seats.
