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The 4th India vs South Africa T20I in Lucknow ended in disappointment for cricket lovers, as heavy fog and poor visibility forced the match to be abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Because of this "No Result," the series score remains 2-1 in India's favour.
Before the Lucknow washout, India had taken the lead with a strong win in Dharamsala. In that match, the Indian bowlers were fantastic, restricting South Africa to just 117 runs. The batters then finished the job easily, winning by 7 wickets. Now, both teams have arrived in Ahmedabad for the fifth and final match of the series.
Also Read: BCCI breaks silence after Lucknow washout, promises scheduling overhaul
The stakes are very clear: if India wins, they take the trophy home with a 3-1 victory. If South Africa wins, they will level the series 2-2 and leave India with their heads held high.
India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record:
Total Matches Played: 35
India Won: 20
South Africa Won: 13
No Result: 2
Key Players to Watch (India)
Since he didn't get to bat in Lucknow, Abhishek Sharma will be eager to continue his good form from Dharamsala. The flat pitch in Ahmedabad suits his aggressive style, and he will look to give India a flying start. Varun Chakravarthy has been the standout bowler of the series. Even though Ahmedabad is known for batting, his mystery spin can still trouble the South African middle order.
Playing on his home ground in the IPL, Hardik Pandya knows these conditions better than anyone. He will be crucial with both bat and ball in this high-pressure final game.
India Predicted XI
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarty, Arshdeep Singh
Key Players to Watch (South Africa)
Aiden Markram, the captain, has been fighting a lone battle with the bat. He needs to score big again, but this time he will hope his partners support him to put up a challenging total. This is the perfect ground for Heinrich Klaasen. He loves pace on the ball and short boundaries. If he gets going, he can single-handedly take the game away from India.
On a pitch that might offer good bounce, Marco Jansen's steep bounce and speed will be South Africa’s best bet to pick up early wickets and put pressure on India’s strong batting lineup.
South Africa Predicted XI
Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
Match overview India vs South Africa 5th T20I
Date: December 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium is famous for being a batter's paradise. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, and the outfield is very fast, meaning we can expect plenty of fours and sixes. A score of 180-190 is usually par here. However, dew often plays a big role in the second innings, making it hard for bowlers to grip the ball. Because of this, the captain winning the toss will almost certainly choose to bowl first.
Ahmedabad Weather Forecast
Good news for fans, the weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be clear. Unlike Lucknow, there is no threat of heavy fog ruining the game. It will be a cool evening, perfect for a full 40 overs of cricket.
India vs South Africa Live Streaming Details
You can watch the India vs South Africa match live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also stream the game online on the JioHotstar app and website.