India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa in the decisive third T20I of the five-match series, which is currently tied 1-1. The match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on December 14, 2025, began with a strong start for India as left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh struck early, dismissing opener Reeza Hendricks for a three-ball duck in the first over. Further breakthroughs followed quickly, with Quinton de Kock falling soon after for a low score, leaving South Africa reeling at 1/2 in the early overs.

India made two significant changes to their lineup: pace ace Jasprit Bumrah was absent due to personal reasons, with Harshit Rana stepping in, while spinner Axar Patel was ruled out due to illness, making way for Kuldeep Yadav. The hosts aimed to capitalize on the chilly conditions and potential early assistance for bowlers under lights.

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South Africa, coming off a commanding 51-run victory in the second T20I powered by de Kock's aggressive batting, looked to build momentum and take a series lead. The Dharamsala pitch, known for favoring chases due to dew in night games, added intrigue to Yadav's decision to field first.

With form concerns surrounding key Indian batters like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, and milestones approaching for players such as Hardik Pandya (nearing 100 T20I wickets), the contest promised high stakes as both teams refined combinations ahead of major upcoming tournaments.

As play progressed in the powerplay, India's disciplined bowling kept pressure on the Proteas, setting up an intriguing battle in the scenic, cold Himalayan venue hosting its first international in recent years.

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