India vs South Africa Match Prediction: Who will win today's IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I match?

Team India have not lost two men's T20Is on the bounce since August 2023. And they will hope that trend continues as they aim to pull ahead in the 3rd T20I against South Africa at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

The five-match series is currently all square at 1-1. While India rampaged their way to a 101-run win in the opening encounter in Cuttack, South Africa bounced back strongly with a 51-run triumph in Mullanpur. The two teams have played an exciting brand of cricket, and another entralling clash is on the cards.

India and South Africa will consider a few changes, but on the whole, they need to ensure that they find stability and consistency in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Which team can take the lead in the series?

India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya.

South Africa's T20I squad for the India series: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Lutho Sipamla, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.

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IND vs SA 2025: Suryakumar Yadav and Co. look to bounce back in Dharamsala

South Africa v India - 3rd T20I - Source: Getty

India's batting unit came apart in the previous game in Mullanpur, but that was largely due to some poor decisions by the think tank. Axar Patel was sent in at No. 3, and the move pretty much killed the powerplay. Shivam Dube is batting at No. 8, a call which doesn't make any sense.

In Dharamsala, India will likely come out with a better strategy. Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will enjoy the conditions at the venue, and more importantly, world-class players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are due defining performances.

South Africa have proved that they won't go down easily, but whether they have enough in the bowling department remains to be seen. If the Proteas can't take a few early wickets in the powerplay, they might struggle to keep runs in check through the middle overs.

This will be a close one, but India might be marginal favorites.

Prediction: India to win the 3rd T20I vs South Africa.