India registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20 International at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on December 14, 2025, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The series now stands at 2-1 in India's favor following this comprehensive win, with the hosts rebounding strongly after the teams had leveled proceedings at 1-1 in the previous encounter. Captain Suryakumar Yadav's decision to bowl first in chilly conditions proved astute, as the Indian bowlers dominated from the outset.
South Africa's innings never gained momentum, collapsing to 117 all out in 20 overs despite a fighting 61 from captain Aiden Markram. Early breakthroughs by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana reduced the visitors to a precarious position in the powerplay, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav applied relentless pressure in the middle overs. Hardik Pandya marked his 100th T20I wicket, and the collective effort ensured South Africa's lowest total at this venue.
The chase was straightforward for India, reaching 120/3 in 15.5 overs with 25 balls to spare. Abhishek Sharma's aggressive 35 off 18 balls provided an explosive start, powering the hosts to a strong position early on. Contributions from Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube sealed the deal comfortably, highlighting India's depth in batting under pressure.
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Arshdeep Singh earned Player of the Match honors for his economical new-ball spell that set the tone for the victory. The match underscored India's adaptability in seam-friendly conditions, contrasting with the high-scoring affairs in the first two games of the series.
The series began with India winning the opener by 101 runs in Cuttack, followed by South Africa's 51-run triumph in the second T20I to draw level. This third-match result shifts momentum back to the hosts ahead of the remaining fixtures.
The fourth T20I is scheduled for December 17 in Lucknow, where South Africa will aim to level the series once more. India's bowling prowess in varying conditions continues to be a key strength as both teams prepare for future international commitments, including the upcoming T20 World Cup cycle.
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