HIGHLIGHTS India vs South Africa, South Africa in India 5 T20I Series 2025, 5th T20- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for the chase. Suryakumar Yadav leads his troops out to the middle. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks to open the innings for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand. Arshdeep to de Kock. Two slips await. Let's go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, a stiff challenge awaits South Africa, but they do bat deep and the wicket has been a good one for batting. They will be looking for the kind of start India enjoyed in the Powerplay to get themselves going. The Indian bowlers have the advantage of seeing which lengths and pace worked for South Africa and will look to replicate that. Pace off was tough to hit, but if the dew arrives, the ball could slide onto the bat instead of gripping the surface. Back in a bit for the chase.

The Proteas found an opening after removing Samson and enjoyed a brief quiet period, largely through George Linde, but it didn’t last long. India were 115 after 12 overs, but the final eight overs produced 116 runs as the hosts got up to 231. That charge was driven by a 44-ball 105-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, with Hardik bringing up the second-fastest fifty for India, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. George Linde conceded 19 runs in his first three overs before going for 27 in his final over. Lungi Ngidi may not have the wickets to show for his effort, but his off-cutters made it tough for the Indian batters to get him away.

A strong finish for India, with a 17-run over to close the innings. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen had done a decent job before that, but Ottneil Baartman couldn’t quite nail the final over, and that surge has propelled the hosts to 231. It was a tough outing for South Africa in challenging conditions. After opting to bowl first, the South African quicks were all over the place with their lines and lengths early on, and the Indian openers made them pay. Sanju Samson, in particular, got off the blocks quickly and batted as though he had never been out of the side. Tilak Varma was quick to find his rhythm and ensured the momentum stayed firmly with the hosts even after losing Abhishek Sharma.

Ottneil Baartman to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Ends with a bang, does Shivam Dube. Baartman just misses the mark with the yorker and serves a low full toss of middle and leg, Shivam Dube hangs deep, clears the front leg and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. India finish with a mammoth score of 231/5 on the board.

Ottneil Baartman to Shivam Dube, OUT! TILAK VARMA IS RUN OUT! Attempted slower one from Ottneil Baartman, sprays it down the leg side for a wide. Tilak Varma is off in a flash and is at the striker's end before Shivam Dube even turns around. Quinton de Kock throws the ball back to the bowler, who dislodges the bails with both batters stranded at the same end. There is a bit of confusion as to who actually is out but the replays confirm that Dube grounded his bat inside the crease before Tilak and hence Tilak has to walk back after a stellar knock. Also, Jitesh Sharma walks out to bat but he will be at the non-striker's end.

Run out! Both batters at the same end. The third umpire is called into action to check whether the batters crossed and who should be adjudged out here. Seeing Tilak Varma run towards him, Shivam Dube had set off, but he was the first to plonk his bat in at the batting end. So, Tillak will be given out.

Ottneil Baartman to Shivam Dube, Excellent comeback delivery from Baartman. A perfect yorker around off stump, Shivam Dube swings through the line and misses and the ball just goes past the off stump as well.

Ottneil Baartman to Shivam Dube, SIX! BANG! Short of a length and on off, not high enough and Shivam Dube hangs back, expecting this length and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Shivam Dube walks out to bat.

Ottneil Baartman to Hardik Pandya, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man in the deep and that marks the end of a sparkling knock from Hardik Pandya. Ottneil Baartman goes for the searing yorker at the toes but misses his mark and serves a low full toss instead. Pandya stays deep in the crease and crunches it off the pads, flat and towards cow corner, where Reeza Hendricks takes a sharp catch. Pandya departs for a fiery 63 off just 25 balls.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, Full and straight, gets it right this time and this is hit along the turf down to long on for a single.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Cheeky! Full and around off, Tilak Varma just shuffles to the off side and gets low, ends up scooping it off the face of the blade and over short fine leg for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, Wide! Loose, too loose from Baartman and up comes the 100-run stand between these two off just 43 balls. Very full and spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Full and straight this time, pace on as well, Hardik Pandya digs it out firmly through the mid-wicket region and races back for the second run.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Nicely bowled! Takes pace off and bowls it just back of a length, naturally angling it across the right-hander. Hardik Pandya tries to lean across to the off side and whack it over mid-wicket but is well beaten.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Oh, unlucky! Full and straight, Pandya backs away and drills it straight back, a bit too straight as the ball hammers into the stumps at the umpire's end. The umpire, Rohan Pandit, was ducking for cover after getting hit on the right knee earlier in the innings.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Fuller in length and targeting the pads, Pandya whips it away to the left of deep backward square leg and picks up a couple of easy runs.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Full and angling into middle and leg, this is heaved away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Slammed away by Varma! Jansen digs in a short one and bowls it wide of the off stump, Tilak Varma reaches out and forces the lofted shot over extra cover and picks up a boundary as well.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Full and on off stump, Varma hangs back but can't quite get underneath it and smacks it down to long on for just a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, Slower again, full and outside off, landing it in the blockhole. Pandya jams it into the off side and picks up a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, Wide! Attempted slower ball, dips late on the batter and goes just down the leg side. Hardik Pandya is taken aback and a wide is called, a bit of a harsh call given the new guidelines for wide.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Edged away and up comes the 200 for India. Goes seam up this time, does Lungi and bowls it full and wide again. Hardik Pandya throws the kitchen sink at it but gets a big outside edge that flies to the right of a diving Quinton de Kock and races away into the deep third fence.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, Excellent bowling! A gutsy slower ball, pitched up a bit fuller and outside off. Hardik Pandya lines up the big heave but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Slower one, floated up around off stump, Tilak Varma looks for the reverse hit but misses and the ball goes off the pads behind square leg for a leg bye.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, That's unnecessary from Miller. A perfect yorker, just outside off, Tilak Varma digs it out behind point and strolls across for the single. David Miller tries to catch Varma out and has a shy at the bowler's end but it is well wide and the batters end up geting an extra run.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, Dishes out a full and wide one, does Bosch and Pandya smacks it firmly but straight to backward point. 17 off the over.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Brings up the FIFTY in style, does Pandya! Corbin Bosch looks for the toe-crushing yorker but doesn't quite get it into the blockhole. Hardik Pandya clears the front leg and whacks it over deep mid-wicket for another six, bringing up the 2nd fastest T20I half century by an Indian batter. We all know which one is the fastest.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, A rare dot ball, just the 2nd one of this partnership. Banged in short and around off, Pandya backs away to ramp it over the keeper but misses.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! That's gone like a tracer bullet! Full and around off, doesn't miss the yorker by much but Pandya goes deep in the crease and drills it straight back past the bowler for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, SIX! That's asking to be hit and Hardik Pandya doesn't let it go unpunished. A juicy full toss around middle, Pandya stays put and gets under the ball, launching it high and handsome over long on for a biggie.

Corbin Bosch to Tilak Varma, Starts with a yorker right at the toes, Varma manages to dig it out past the square leg region and picks up a single in the deep.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Nicely played by Pandya but Jansen does well to get out of the over without conceding a boundary. Goes full and wide and lands it on the popping crease, Pandya hangs back and opens the face of the blade, gliding it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Lands it on a fuller length and attacks the off stump, Tilak Varma clears the front leg and lines up the heave over cow corner but gets a big inside edge onto the back leg. The ball trickles to short fine leg and they get a single.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Slower and into the surface, angles it across off, Hardik Pandya has to reach for it and mistimes the pull to the right of long on for just another single.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Takes some pace off this delivery and angles it into the batter. On a shorter length and shovelled away through mid-wicket by Varma for one more.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Well bowled! Full again and on off, Jansen gets it in the blockhole. Pandya jams it out through mid on and picks up a single.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Full and wide, pushed across the right-hander, Hardik Pandya stays deep in the crease and crunches it off the toe end of the bat and over the umpire's head. David Miller is quick to get to his left from long on and cuts it off, saving two runs.

George Linde is done with his 4 overs. It will be Marco Jansen who comes back into the attack.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Slower ball picked and dispatched! Ngidi goes into the surface and on off. Tilak waits for the ball to arrive and pulls it firmly through mid-wicket for a four. 55 runs off the last 3 overs.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, A big swing and a miss! Fuller in length and Ngidi rolls his fingers over the ball. Tilak fails to pick the change of pace and swings way too early. Ends up connectiing with thin air.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, FOUR! And that will be FIFTY for Tilak Varma! A fine knock from a talented left-hander. 6th T20I half-century for Varma to go with two hundreds. On a hard length, running across the batter. Varma dances down the track and carves it with an open bat face to the left of short third for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Pushed across the left-hander, full at 116.1 kph, Tilak Varma has a swing at it but is early into the shot. Ends up slicing it off the outer half over extra cover for a couple of runs.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, Pace on this time, on a length, outside off, Hardik drills it to deep cover and crosses over.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Ngidi starts his new spell with an off-cutter, on a length, outside off. Tilak hits it through covers for a single.

Lungi Ngidi (2-0-8-0) is back into the attack.

George Linde to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! My word! 27 runs off the over. Linde had conceded 19 runs in his first 3 overs but he has been taken apart by Pandya in his final over. Fired in, fuller and outside off, Hardik cracks the drive between extra cover and long off for a four.

George Linde to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Biggest of the hits so far from Pandya! Darted in from around the wicket, right in the hitting arc, on a nagging length. Hardik has a swipe across the line and deposits it way back over deep mid-wicket for a six. 23 runs off the over with a ball to go.

George Linde to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Powered away! Slower through the air by Linde, on the shorter side, around off. Hardik goes deep in the crease and opens up the front hip. Muscles it over wide long off for a six.

George Linde to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! In the gap! Slightly too full, angled into the right-hander, on middle and leg. Pandya clears the front leg and smears it away. Gets it off the inner half of the blade but it goes well wide of long on to his right for a boundary.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Pushed through, shorter and on off, Varma taps it to long off and gets to the other end.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, SIX! Clean strike! A rare loose ball tonight from Linde. In the slot, in line of the off pole. Tilak swings through the line and clubs it over long on for a biggie.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! 16 runs off the over despite the wicket on the first ball! Into the deck, over middle. Hardik puts on the dancing shoes and gets the ball at a good height. He drags it wide of mid on to his right for a four.

Corbin Bosch to Tilak Varma, Nails the yorker, right at the toes, Tilak hurriedly gets his bat down and digs it out behind square on the leg side for one.

Corbin Bosch to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Just over! Another scrambled seam delivery, on a nagging length, on middle. Varma is slightly tucked up for room but he manages to get his hands through the ball. Lofts it over the leaping mid on fielder for a four.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, On a back of a length, on off, punched firmly to cover, where a misfield allows the batters to cross over.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, SIX! No sighters needed for Hardik Pandya! In and around the off pole, on a back of a length. Hardik stays leg side and gives the bowler the charge. He swings through the line and thumps it over the man at mid off for a flat six. The ball catches the cameraman on his left shoulder, who had his back towards the action. The Indian physio is quick to attend to him.

Hardik Pandya walks in at number 5.

Corbin Bosch to Suryakumar Yadav, OUT! TAKEN! Corbin Bosch strikes on his return to the attack. The lean run continues for the Indian skipper. Scrambled seam delivery from over the wicket, on a good length, on off and middle. Suryakumar Yadav backs away a bit and looks to go over the man at mid off with a straight bat. The ball comes off the upper half of the bat and it is spooned tamely to mid off. David Miller takes a step back and leaps to take a reverse cup catch around his face. Yadav departs for 5 (7).

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Floated up, on the pads, SKY wrists it to deep square leg and crosses over. Another tidy over from Linde. Just 6 runs off it.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Drags the length back, on middle, knocked down to long on for one by Tilak.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Darted across by Linde, Tilak walks across the stumps and gets inside the line for the scoop, but the ball is not short enough for the shot. It comes off the gloves and goes wide of short fine leg for a brace.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Drifting down leg, fuller in length. It would have been a wide had SKY left it. He clips it behind square on the leg side for a single.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Slows it down a bit, short and around leg, Varma swivels and pulls it to deep backward square leg for one.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Sliding across, flat and short, Tilak pushes it back to Linde.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, Decent comeback from Baartman after being hit for a four on the first ball. Going across the left-hander, on a short of a length, punched in front of mid off for a single.

Ottneil Baartman to Suryakumar Yadav, Lands it on a good length, on off, Yadav drives it on the up past cover for one.

Ottneil Baartman to Suryakumar Yadav, Skidding through, in the corridor off, a bit fuller, Suryakumar tries to get on top of it and punch it through the off side but the ball stays a bit low. It catches the toe end of the bat and dribbles towards the keeper.

Ottneil Baartman to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Sprayed down leg, on the shorter side, SKY misses out on the tickle.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, On top of leg, on a back of a length, Varma walks inside the line and works it behind square leg for a single.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, At the stumps, on a short of a length, Tilak charges down the track to force it away but ends up bunting it back to the bowler.

Ottneil Baartman to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Ottneil Baartman is welcomed back with a boundary! Angling away, on a length. Fast hands from Varma as he crouches and cuts it late between deep third and backward point for a four.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Floated up down the leg side, Varma gets his hands out in front and pushes the ball across through mid-wicket for a run. A wicket and just 4 runs off that over. India are 101/2 at the halfway mark in their innings.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Floated ball, full and drifted into the pads, SKY leans on and works it away wide of square leg for another single. The 100 is now up for India as well.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Fractionally short, on middle, Tilak pulls it through square leg for a single.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Flighted up, on a length and around leg, Varma nurdles it down to short fine leg.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Nagging length, on off and midle, Suryakumar Yadav stays put and just dabs it into the off side for a quick single.

DRINKS BREAK! South Africa will be relieved to have seen the back of Sanju Samson. Even after dismissing Abhishek Sharma, they were unable to stem the flow of runs, but will hope to do so now by bowling as many balls as possible to the new batter. On this surface, the quicker you bowl, the quicker it comes off the blade. The odd ball has held up when bowled slower through the air, and that will be the blueprint not just for the spinners but also for the quicks, with their variations becoming crucial at the death. India have the platform set, and with plenty of batting still to come, they will ideally want to push past 200. Suryakumar Yadav joins Tilak Varma out in the centre.

George Linde to Sanju Samson, OUT! TIMBER! Beautifully bowled by George Linde and Sanju Samson has been bamboozled here. Linde gives this one a bit more air, drifting into the leg stump. The ball dips and lands before turning away sharply from the right-hander. Samson clears the front leg and looks to play for the line but the ball goes past the outside edge and crashes into the middle stump. Samson departs for 37 (22) and Linde gets the crucial breakthrough for his side.

Donovan Ferreira to Sanju Samson, Full and fired into the pads, flicked away using the wrists past square leg for another single.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Sees the batter backing away and bowls it fast and into the pitch, angling it in. Varma punches it square through the point region for a single. Varma looks for the second run but Samson turns it down.

Oh, dear! Umpire Rohan Pandit looks in a lot of pain. He has copped it on the right knee and is being attended to by the physios of the two teams. The umpire is back on his feet and ready to resume.

Donovan Ferreira to Sanju Samson, Gosh, that was hit hard by Samson! Full and around off, Sanju Samson clears the front leg to go over long off but ends up hammering it just a few inches in the air and back towards the bowler. Donovan Ferreira reacts sharply to his left and gets both hands on the ball but spills the catch. The ball deflects onto the right knee of the umpire, who is down in pain. That must have stung, especially given it is winter time in India. The batters eventually get a single as well.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Shorter one at the stumps, jammed down to long on for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Skillful from Varma this time. Fuller and angled into the pads, Tilak Varma sits down and reverse sweeps it flat and hard over backward point for another boundary.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, FOUR! As straight as an arrow! Slightly overpitched around middle, Tilak Varma is quick to back away and he swats it right back over the bowler's head for a boundary. Donovan Ferreira needs to slow it up as the pace he is bowling at, it's bread and butter on this pitch.

George Linde to Sanju Samson, SIX! All the way! Looks to fire it in at the toes, but Samson clears the front leg and heaves it flat over cow corner for a biggie, spoiling the over for Linde in the process as well.

George Linde to Sanju Samson, Nicely bowled! Nagging length again, on off and middle, Sanju Samson looks to rock back and play it through the off side but the ball hops up and beats the outside edge.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Nicely flighted, on a nagging length and on middle, Varma leans on and clips it through mid-wicket for just one more.

George Linde to Sanju Samson, A bit too short and just outside off, Samson backs away and slaps the ball through cover-point for a single.

George Linde to Sanju Samson, Drags the length and bowls it slower around off. The ball holds in the pitch and Samson miscues the cover drive back to the bowler.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, On a length and on the pads, turning in, Varma presses back and tucks it down to long leg for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Into the pitch again and a bit slower on leg stump, Varma backs away and tentatively pushes it past the non-striker, picking up a single as well.

Donovan Ferreira to Sanju Samson, Flatter and into the pitch, bowled around the pads, Samson wrists it through square leg for one more.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Slows it up and floats it on middle and leg, this is flicked uppishly through wide mid on for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Wide! Tossed up down the leg side, Varma looks to sweep but misses and the ball goes through the keeper's gloves as well.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, A bit straighter now, fired in towards middle, Varma blocks it off.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Easy pickings! Pushed through a bit quicker and sliding it down leg, Tilak Varma tickles it fine and the ball races away into the fine leg fence.

Donovan Ferreira to Sanju Samson, Floated up on the pads, bowled from around the wicket. Samson sits down to sweep but gets it off the pads to short fine leg and collects a leg bye.

Corbin Bosch to Tilak Varma, Varma looks to repeat the trick but misses and India end the Powerplay at 67/1! Slight adjustment from Bosch, bowling it a few inches shorter and slightly closer to the off stump. Varma gives the charge and looks to go over the off side but is beaten.

Corbin Bosch to Tilak Varma, FOUR! How's that for intent on the first ball? Length ball, pushed across off, Tilak Varma is quick to charge down the track and he stays leg side of the ball, hammering it through covers for a boundary.

Tilak Varma is in at number 3.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Strangled down the leg side, but Abhishek Sharma has reviewed it right away. A proper short ball from Corbin Bosch but angles it down the leg side. Sharma looks to pull it behind square leg but misses and seems to have gotten a feather through to the keeper. Quinton de Kock pouches it safely and the umpire raises his finger almost instantly. However, the third umpire is now called in and this looks very close on the first replay. UltraEdge rolls and there is a spike when the ball is next to the gloves and it remains OUT. Sharma walks back for 34 (21) and India lose their first wicket at 63.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! High and handsome! Good-length delivery around off, Abhishek Sharma simply clears the front leg and lofts it on the rise, nailing it over long off for his first six of the game.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, Wide! On a hard length and pushed well across the left-hander, ends up spraying beyond the tramline and a wide is called.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, Back of a length and on middle and leg, Sharma gets cramped for room and pushes it down to the left of mid on.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, Swing and a miss! Bosch hammers a shorter length and angles it across off, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track whilst making room and looks to smack it through covers but misses.

Corbin Bosch comes in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Jansen bends his back and bashes the deck hard, over middle. Abhishek Sharma backs away and looks to flat bat it down the ground. Ends up bunting it down the deck and the bounce takes the ball over the bowler's head for a single. 15 runs off the over.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Finesse this time! Not a lot wrong with this ball, on a back of a length, in and around the off pole. Sharma waits on it and steers it with an open bat face between short third and backward point for four more.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! 50 up for India! Full and slanted in from over the wicket, on middle. Abhishek shimmies down the track and stays leg side of the ball to get his hands through. With a still head, he launches it over mid off for a four.

Marco Jansen to Sanju Samson, On a hard length, on top of off, dabbed down to deep backward point for a single.

Marco Jansen to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Up and over! Jansen pushes one across the right-hander, on a length. Samson extends his hands into the lofted drive and goes over extra cover for a boundary.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Leg bye! Angled into the pads, on a length, Abhishek is beaten on the flick and a leg bye is taken as the ball drops on the leg side.

Marco Jansen switches ends now. He went for 19 in his first over.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Fortuitous boundary for Samson! Full and wide on off, Samson reaches out for the drive with his hands but gets an outside edge. Reeza Hendricks at slip flies to his right while Lungi Ngidi at short third flings himself to his left but the ball goes right between them.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, Nicely bowled! Baartman spots Samson back away and he follows him with a searing yorker, right at the toes. Sanju digs it out beside the strip on the off side.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, In the air...but safe! Baartman hits the hard length, on middle. Sanju backs away to go inside out but is hurried and the ball gets big on him. The bat turns a bit in his hand and it is sliced over and wide of the man at mid off to his left. Two runs taken.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Samson takes the aerial route this time! In the slot from Baartman, around off, Sanju meets the ball with a straight bat again and plays the lofted drive to the left of mid on for four more.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, Pulls the length back slightly and it is in the corridor of off, Sanju attempts the drive through the off side but misses.

Ottneil Baartman to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Class written all over it! Full and at the sticks, Samson presents the full face of the bat and creams the drive down the track. The ball goes past the stumps at the bowling end and it races away.

An early bowling change as Ottneil Baartman comes in to replace Marco Jansen.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Pitched up, on off, at pace, Sharma firms the drive along the ground to mid off.

It seems like Quinton de Kock has taken one too many blows to the ginger fingers on the right hand and finally, the physio rushes out to have a look. The middle finger seems to be the major concern and by the looks of it, QDK might have already broken it on the very first ball of the innings, because of which, every sort of awkward take is causing him so much pain. Hopefully, he can continue. Right then, the physio has weaved his magic and QDK is good to go again, which is great news.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Oh, dear! Quinton de Kock is seething in pain. Drags the length back but it is another off-cutter, on off. Abhishek does not pick the slower ball again. He heaves across the line but the ball drops on him and goes under the bat. Quinton collects it on the bounce and is in a lot of pain. Seems like the ball made an impact on the already bruised middle finger of his right hand, on which he copped a blow on the first ball of the game.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, And again! Another ball that dips and drops in the blockhole, outside off, Abhishek has a swipe across the line but is beaten all ends up due to the slowness of the delivery.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Well bowled! A nicely disguised off-cutter from Ngidi, going across the batter, Abhishek Sharma does not pick it all and is outfoxed completely. He looks to launch it down the ground but the ball drops on him and sneaks under the blade.

The previous shot seems to have chipped the toe end of Sanju's blade and he wants a bat change but will have to wait till the over ends, it seems.

Lungi Ngidi to Sanju Samson, Full and angled in at the pads, Sanju gets the front pad out of the way and jams it out behind square on the leg side for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Full and on off, Abhishek goes after it with hard hands and ekes out an inside edge that goes through square leg for a single.

Marco Jansen to Sanju Samson, SIX! Effortless from Samson! This is on a length, swinging back in, on middle. Sanju does not try to overhit this one and just whips it with timing over wide long on for a six. 19 runs off Jansen's first over. That also brings up 1000 T20I runs for Samson, along with 8000 T20 runs as well!

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, On a back of a length, on off, Sharma glides it behind square on the off side for a single.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Good comeback from Jansen! Angling in and then nipping away, on a hard length, over off, Abhishek charges down the track and looks to force it away but is beaten on the outside edge.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Make that three boundaries in a row, two of which have gone not where Abhishek intended them to go. Fuller and outside off, Abhishek has a swipe at it again and gets a thickish outside edge that flies well over the head of the leaping Lungi Ngidi at short third for four more.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Not convincing this time around! With an upright seam, this is on a good length, outside off. Sharma swings at it as he looks to carve it away once again. The ball comes right off the toe end of the blade and it is skied but in the vacant deep backward point region.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Carved away! This is on a length, outside off, Abhishek gets the width to free his arms and he stays leg side before slicing it over backward point. It almost went the distance. The ball bounced just in front of the boundary cushions at deep backward point.

Marco Jansen will share the new ball with Lungi Ngidi for South Africa.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Tight single! Shaping back into the pads, on a good length, on middle. Abhishek looks to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face but the ball holds its line. The leading edge pops up before dribbling in front of mid off. The batters sneak in a quick single and Markram misses his shy at the bowling end.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Pushed across the left-hander, on a good length, Abhishek stands tall and plays it on the up. The ball goes on the bounce to mid off.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Abhishek Sharma is up and running! Fuller and swinging back in, on middle and leg. Abhishek shimmies down the track and swings through the line. Thumps it back over the head of Samson at the non-striker's end for a four.

Lungi Ngidi to Sanju Samson, Sanju Samson and India are underway! Short and wide on off, Samson throws his hands at it and the ball flies off the outer half. The ball drops on the bounce and wide of the deep backward point fielder. Just a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Sanju Samson, Beaten again! Fuller in length, closer to the off pole, moving away in the air. Sanju goes for the drive away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.

Lungi Ngidi to Sanju Samson, Goes past the bat straight away! Shaping away, a bit wide, on a back of a length. Samson flashes but fails to connect. The ball keeps rising on its way to the keeper and Quinton de Kock cops a blow on the fingertips of his right hand while trying to gather the ball.

All in readiness for the final bout of South Africa's all-format tour of India. The two umpires are already out in the middle and the Protea players also make their way out to the middle. Abhishek Sharma is reunited with Sanju Samson at the top of the order for India today. It will be Lungi Ngidi who will get the first bite at the new ball and he is raring to go. Let's play...

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller (In for Tristan Stubbs), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde (In for Anrich Nortje), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (In for Shubman Gill), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Washington Sundar (In for Kuldeep Yadav), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah (In for Harshit Rana), Varun Chakaravarthy.

India's skipper, Suryakumar Yadav says they were looking to bat first as they don't expect the wicket to change much. Adds that he doesn’t expect dew to play a big role and says that they will look to put runs on the board and then defend the total. Suryakumar mentions that it already feels like a full house and calls it the most beautiful stadium, saying he hopes the team can put on a show. Shares that the focus is on taking as much as possible from this game and continuing to play fearless cricket. In terms of changes, he informs that Jasprit Bumrah comes in for Harshit Rana, while Washington Sundar replaces Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill, who picked up a niggle in Lucknow, is replaced by Sanju Samson.

The South African skipper, Aiden Markram, says that they will bowl first and reckons that the wicket looks good and they are hoping for some dew later on. Adds that they are looking forward to the game today and they also have a few matches at this venue in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Further says that they want to level the series and want to finish on a positive note. Ends by saying that he doesn't quite remember what the combination was in the 3rd game but George Linde does come in for Anrich Nortje.

TOSS - Aiden Markram calls it correctly, and South Africa have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta is inspecting the deck and has Pommie Mbangwa alongside him. Deep starts by saying that the square boundaries are 63 meters and 65 meters and it is a 71-meter hit down the ground from where he is standing. Pommie chimes in and says that it is a black soil wicket but it does look a bit on the dry side. Expects that there will be some turn for the spinners by just looking at it. Deep further adds that there are cracks in the surface but they aren't loose, so it might not actually turn much and there isn't much dew predicted either. Ends by saying that ideally one would want to chase but during the Indian Premier League, the teams batting first did win most of the matches.

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League revealed a clear trend at the Narendra Modi Stadium in night games, with 6 of the 7 matches won by the side batting first. However, considering the time of year and the likelihood of dew setting in, it will be intriguing to see what the captain winning the toss opts to do. Stay tuned for the toss and team sheets.

On the other hand, South Africa have more issues to address. The Proteas are still searching for their ideal combination, and time is running out, with just three more T20Is remaining after this match to fine-tune their plans ahead of the World Cup. What has emerged during the white-ball leg for the tourists is that whenever the top order has fired, it has gone a long way in shaping the result in their favour. From that perspective, it will be up to Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks to make a telling contribution.

With 50 days to go until the T20 World Cup, India have a largely settled combination, with only a few finer details left to iron out. The Men in Blue are chasing what would be their 8th consecutive series win in this format. Despite a lean patch, Shubman Gill will arrive feeling confident at this venue, where he has scored four T20 hundreds and centuries in all three formats. There were reports of Gill missing the Lucknow game due to a foot injury, and it remains to be seen how he pulls up. On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah missed the Dharamsala game for personal reasons but rejoined the squad in Lucknow and is likely to feature tonight.

Hello one and all! The Test series saw South Africa complete a clean sweep, while the ODI leg belonged to India, who won it 2-1. We now arrive at the final match of the Proteas’ all-format tour of India, here in Ahmedabad, with the hosts holding a 2-1 lead in the T20I series. After the fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned due to excessive fog, South Africa can no longer win the series, but they will be keen to finish on level terms.

... MATCH DAY ...

All eyes turn to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as India and South Africa gear up for the 5th and final T20I, with the hosts holding a 2-1 lead after three contrasting games and the fourth abandoned due to thick fog. The series so far has highlighted clear themes from both sides, India's bowlers setting the tone in their wins with early breakthroughs and disciplined spells, while South Africa struck back through powerful top-order batting and a pace attack that exposed India's death-overs execution. However, India's biggest concern heading into this decider is their batting form, with Suryakumar Yadav still searching for rhythm and Shubman Gill struggling to convert starts, opening up discussions around whether Sanju Samson could be brought in to add urgency and clarity to the top order to support Abhishek Sharma who has been superb since his debut in this format. Players like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube remain crucial in controlling the middle and death overs with the bat, while Tilak Varma's composure and ability to absorb pressure in the middle order could be vital on a big ground like Ahmedabad. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana will again be key in applying pressure with the ball on a surface that offers true bounce. South Africa, meanwhile, have been keen on giving game time across the squad, but will still look towards their match-winners, with Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram expected to anchor the batting, David Miller providing the finishing punch, and Dewald Brevis offering X-factor value with his fearless strokeplay in the middle overs, while their bowling attack led by Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje, supported by smart variations from the spinners, will be tasked with striking early and controlling the death. With a series win at home on the line for India and South Africa pushing to level things and take momentum forward, this finale promises a high-intensity contest where form, selection calls, and execution in key moments will decide the outcome.