India (IND) will face South Africa (SA) in the 1st T20I of the series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. This match is a repeat of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, adding extra excitement to the contest. The all-format tour is in its final stage—South Africa won the Test series, while India claimed the ODI series.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are in excellent form. They recently won the Asia Cup 2025 and also defeated Australia in their own backyard. With the 2026 T20 World Cup not far away, India will aim at carrying on their momentum and make a winning start to the T20I series in Cuttack.

South Africa, however, have been struggling in T20Is lately. They lost their recent series 1–2 against Pakistan and even suffered a shock defeat to Namibia in a one-off match. They also drew a series against England. The Proteas will be desperate to find some rhythm and bounce back in this important series.

IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

• Matches Played: 31
  
• India Won: 18
  
• South Africa Won: 12
  
• Tied / No Result: 1

IND vs SA: Pitch Report

The Barabati Stadium has hosted three T20Is so far, and South Africa have won both matches they played here. Teams chasing have won two out of three games here, and bowling first could be a smart choice. The pitch does offer help to both pacers and spinners, but bowlers with good variations usually do the work. A score around 160 can be competitive on this ground because dew may not allow the ball to grip much.

See Also: IND vs SA 1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav confirms Gill and Abhishek as openers, Samson’s role uncertain

IND vs SA: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND):

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

South Africa (SA):

Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

After clinching the ODI series against South Africa, India turns their attention to the T20Is as both teams gear up for some vital match practice ahead of the T20 World Cup. The upcoming series thereby provides both sides with a great opportunity to try out combinations and settle squads ahead of the mega event. India will look to fine-tune their lineup and test various batting orders in the process.

The opening position has been a major talking point for India, with Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson fighting for that slot. Samson was India’s first-choice opener before the Asia Cup 2025, but Gill’s appointment as vice-captain pushed Samson down the order, with the team preferring Gill and Abhishek at the top. Ahead of the first T20I in Cuttack, captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed India’s decision and offered clarity on the roles.

In the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar explained that while Samson has opened successfully in the past, flexibility is essential in T20 cricket. He said the team will continue with Gill at the top while praising Samson’s readiness to bat at any position. Surya emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying that except for the openers, all other batters must be willing to move around the order.

Suryakumar Yadav Praises Samson’s Flexibility in the Middle Order

Suryakumar Yadav said, “In terms of Sanju, yes, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now the thing is, other than the openers, I feel everyone has to be very flexible. He did really well before he played, when he opened the innings. But Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series. So, he deserved to take that spot. We gave Sanju opportunities. He was ready to bat at any number, which actually is good to see, any player being very flexible, batting from 3 to 6 anywhere. So, that is one thing that I have told all the batters.”

See Also: Australia’s star batter set to retire from Sheffield Shield: Report

He further added, “Other than openers, everyone has to be very flexible. So, both (Sanju and Jitesh) are in the scheme of things. It is always good to have flexible players like both of them being part of that squad. One can open, and one can bat lower down the order. Both can do all the loads. So, it is an asset to our team and also a good headache to have.” Despite Samson’s strong record as an opener, including 522 runs at a strike rate of 178 with three centuries, Gill’s return has pushed him down the order, and eventually, Jitesh Sharma replaced him as the wicketkeeper in the XI.

India pacer Mohit Sharma has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, ending a career that lasted nearly 14 years. Mohit made his international debut in 2013 and played 26 ODIs and eight T20Is for India, taking a total of 37 wickets. He was also part of India’s squad that reached the semifinals of the 2015 Men’s ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Mohit also had a strong domestic career for Haryana. Sharing his retirement note on Instagram, he wrote, “Today, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket. From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing.” He thanked the Haryana Cricket Association for being the backbone of his career.

He added, “A very special thank you to the Haryana Cricket Association for being the backbone of my career. And my deepest gratitude to Anirudh Sir, whose constant guidance and belief in me shaped my path in ways words cannot express. Thank you to the BCCI, my coaches, my teammates, IPL franchises, support staff, and all my friends for their love and support.”

Mohit Sharma’s IPL Journey and Emotional Goodbye

Mohit was well known for his accurate bowling with the new ball and for using cutters, slower balls, and slow bouncers effectively in the death overs. In the IPL, he played 120 matches and took 134 wickets, representing Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Delhi Capitals.  He was one of CSK's leading bowlers in his early years, bagging 20 wickets in IPL 2013 and emerging as the Purple Cap winner in 2014 with 23 wickets.

See Also: IND vs SA, 2nd ODI: Anushka Sharma’s sweet reaction after Virat Kohli 84th international century in Raipur

After struggling with form, Mohit joined Gujarat Titans as a net bowler in IPL 2022 and made a strong comeback in 2023, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets. He was also GT’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024. In his farewell message, he wrote, “Special thanks to my wife, who always handled my mood swings and anger and supported me through everything. I look forward to serving the game in fresh ways. Thank you so much. Innings over, gratitude forever.”

Virat Kohli made a strong comeback by scoring his 84th international century in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. It was also his 53rd ODI hundred, the most by any player in the format. After scoring a match-winning century in the first ODI at Ranchi, Kohli continued his great form with a brilliant 90-ball ton that included seven fours and two sixes.

India batted first on a friendly batting pitch. Young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad supported Kohli with an amazing knock, scoring his first ODI century in just his eighth match. Together, the duo built a powerful 195-run partnership for the third wicket and completely dominated the South African bowlers.

Shortly after Gaikwad was dismissed for 105, Kohli reached his landmark ton in the very next over, sending the crowd into celebration once again. Back home, a special supporter of Virat Kohli also erupted in joy. His wife, Anushka Sharma, shared an Instagram story to celebrate Kohli and dropped a cute, red heart.

Anushka Sharma’s Heartwarming Reaction to Kohli’s Record Ton

Anushka, who is in London with the couple’s two kids, enjoyed the action from the comfort of her home. Meanwhile, Kohli’s knock had a nostalgic touch to it. During his peak between 2016 and 2018, such performances had become a regular feature, and this latest achievement only adds to his legendary status.

Anushka Sharma’s Instagram story for Virat Kohli. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Jk1ZJQ698s

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 3, 2025

See Also: Twitter Reactions: KL Rahul smashes 33-ball fifty during IND vs SA 2nd ODI in Raipur

Virat Kohli also extended his lead over Sachin Tendulkar in terms of ODI centuries, moving four centuries ahead of the Master Blaster. His 84 international hundreds now place him second on the all-time list, only behind Tendulkar’s 100. Among active players, he is far ahead of the next best, Joe Root, who has 58 centuries. Meanwhile, Kohli (102) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) powered India to 358/5 with their 195-run stand, as South African bowlers struggled throughout the innings.

Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan did not hold back from trolling Wasim Jaffer after India were swept 2-0 at home by South Africa. Taking to X, Vaughan tagged the former Indian opener and wrote, "Don’t worry. I know how you are feeling." His post came moments after India’s crushing defeat in the Guwahati Test.

India were already in deep trouble while chasing an improbable 549, ending Day 4 at 27/2. On the final day, the hosts folded quickly, losing their remaining eight wickets for just 113 additional runs. This result gave South Africa their first Test series victory on Indian soil in 25 years and was a historic red-ball triumph for the visitors.

Simon Harmer was the star of the series, picking up six wickets in the second innings to finish with 17 wickets at an excellent average of 8.94, earning him the award for Player of the Series. With this loss, India crashed to fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, severely denting their chances of reaching the 2027 WTC final.

Vaughan–Jaffer Banter Continues as India Suffer Heaviest Home Defeat

The trolling wasn’t out of the blue; Jaffer had earlier taken a dig at Vaughan when England were thrashed by Australia within two days in Perth. Vaughan hit back during the Guwahati Test, especially after Marco Jansen dismantled India with a six-wicket haul on Day 3.

Don’t worry @WasimJaffer14 .. I know how you are feeling .. #INDvSA

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 26, 2025

See Also: 'You Can’t Take Cricket for Granted' – Rishabh Pant reflects on India’s 0-2 series loss to South Africa

India’s 408-run defeat in Guwahati stands as their heaviest Test loss by runs at home. South Africa dominated from the start, putting up 489 in the first innings and stretching their control by adding 260 more after choosing not to enforce the follow-on. Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with a 54 off 87 balls, but the rest of India’s batting lineup faltered once again. With this win, Temba Bavuma became only the second South African captain after Hansie Cronje to win a Test series in India.

India’s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant looked visibly disappointed as he stepped forward to assess his team’s performance after the crushing 408-run defeat to South Africa in Guwahati. The loss handed the Proteas their first-ever Test series win on Indian soil. Pant, playing in a leadership role following Shubman Gill being ruled out due to a neck injury sustained in the Kolkata Test, did not offer excuses and was candidly honest about India's lacunae.

Without naming anyone, Pant highlighted the major problems troubling the Indian team. His words reflected frustration, concern, and the need for urgent improvement. "It's a little disappointing. As a team, we need to get better… Credit to the opposition for playing better than us. They dominated the series… we're playing at home, and sometimes we were up in the game. Still, we didn't capitalise on it," he said after the loss.

Pant added that cricket demands consistency and effort regardless of the venue. He stressed that India’s batting unit must grab key moments, something the team failed to do. "Whether you're playing at home or away, cricket demands that determination and that extra effort… As a batting unit, you need to capitalise on certain moments… The positives from this series will be to focus on our own plan,” the captain added.

India Suffer Their Worst-Ever Home Test Defeat

This result marks India’s heaviest Test defeat on home soil, surpassing the 342-run loss to Australia in 2004. It also underlines a worrying pattern, as this is India’s fifth Test defeat in the past year. South Africa’s 2-0 series triumph is their maiden Test series win in India after 25 years, repeating their 2-0 victory from the 2000 tour.

See Also: 'We Win Together, We Lose…' - Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on India’s loss in Guwahati Test vs England

For India, this becomes their third-ever clean sweep at home, following the 0-3 loss to New Zealand last October. The defeat has raised serious questions about the team’s approach, consistency, and readiness for red-ball challenges ahead.

India's defeat by South Africa in the Guwahati Test was really disappointing. As a result, fans and experts seriously criticized that defeat. Addressing the situation, head coach Gautam Gambhir was very open about the result in the post-match press conference. The former India opener replied to the backlash circulating online and shared his thoughts on the current team phase.

With fans questioning his methods and online trollers targeting his decisions, Gambhir did not hold back from giving sharp responses. He defended the team's performance, pointing toward his past successes while stressing the need to allow young players the time to grow.

Gambhir recalled India’s achievements during his tenure while urging that players need to be supported, especially when faced with difficult transitions. “I’m the same guy under whom India did well in England, won the Champions Trophy, and won the Asia Cup… I hate the word ‘transition,’ but this is exactly what transition is. The young players are learning on the job. You've to give them time,” he said, as quoted by Revsportz.

Gambhir Opens Up on Accountability and India’s Collapse

India, led by Shubman Gill and featuring several young faces with only KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant as senior members, suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the series. Gambhir described parts of India’s play as “unacceptable” and stressed the need for improvement in all aspects of Test cricket. He pointed out how India collapsed from strong positions multiple times. "At one point we were 95/1 and 120 for 6 or 7. This kind of performance is not acceptable… we need to improve mentally, technically, or in absorbing pressure," he added.

See Also: List of India's biggest loss in Test Cricket by run margin

When asked about who should take the blame for the defeat, Gambhir maintained a collective approach. “We win together, we lose together… The blame lies at the feet of everyone, starting with me. Start prioritizing Test cricket… more than the accountability, it's about the care,” he stated. With this loss, India drops further in the WTC 2025–27 standings, but the team aims to bounce back as the white-ball leg begins on November 30, followed by the T20I series starting December 9.

The ICC has released the complete schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and defending champions India now know their full path in the group stage. India will begin their title defense on February 7, 2026, when they face the USA in Mumbai, marking the opening day of the tournament. This will be the first time India and Sri Lanka co-host a T20 World Cup, with matches taking place across eight venues in the two countries.

India has been placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. The biggest highlight of India’s schedule is the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. Due to political reasons, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, including the game against India. India’s remaining group matches will be played across Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

A total of 40 group-stage matches will take place between February 7 and 20, after which the top two teams from each group move to the Super Eight stage starting on February 21. If India qualifies further, they will progress to the semi-finals in Kolkata/Colombo or Mumbai, followed by the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan reaches the final).

See Also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 full schedule released: Complete list of matches, dates, venues, and timings

India’s Full Schedule for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Frequently Asked Question

Q: When will the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 be played?

It will run from 7 February to 8 March 2026.

Q: Who are India’s group-stage opponents?

India is in Group A with Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

Q: When is India’s first match?

India plays their first match against the USA on 7 February 2026 in Mumbai.

Q: When is the India vs Pakistan clash?

The much-awaited match is on 15 February 2026 at Colombo.

Q: What’s the format of the tournament?

Top teams from each group move to the Super Eight, followed by semi-finals and the final on 8 March 2026.

One of the most famous cricket stars for India, Yuvraj Singh, has found a caring and understanding way to guide the next generation of cricketers. The former India all-rounder recently came out to state that his coaching is completely different from his father Yograj Singh's strict and demanding methods.

Since retiring from international cricket in 2011, Yuvraj has taken on the role of a mentor and has helped shape the careers of young players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. In a recent interview with PTI, Yuvraj said his approach is based on empathy and support rather than pressure or punishment. His focus is on understanding young players’ emotions and helping them grow with confidence.

“I am definitely nothing like Yograj Singh. I am a very different person and a very different personality. My style of coaching is very different. I believe when you are coaching or mentoring someone, you need to be in their shoes and understand their mindset, what they are going through, rather than telling them what to do,” Yuvraj said. “It has to be like a push and pull, you take some and you give some. It is important to understand how to be in the head of a 19-year-old,” he added.

Yuvraj’s Softer Approach Compared to Yograj’s Tough Training

Yograj Singh, known for his strict discipline and fiery nature, played a big role in Yuvraj’s early cricket journey. His training methods were very tough, it’s even said that he once threw away Yuvraj’s skating shoes so that he would focus only on cricket. While those methods helped create a champion, Yuvraj believes today’s generation needs a different kind of support.

See Also: [WATCH] 'How Does Lord Hanuman Help You?' - PM Modi asks Deepti Sharma about her tattoo during interaction with India’s World Cup-winning team

“When I was 19, nobody understood the challenges I was facing. So when I see a 19 or 20-year-old now, I know what they are going through mentally. It’s about listening to them, understanding their mindset, and guiding them, not just giving orders,” he said.

The softer, understanding approach is already yielding results from Yuvraj. Players such as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who have trained under him, have come to be known as India's brightest cricket stars. From beating cancer to mentoring future champions, Yuvraj inspires youngsters with nothing but kindness, patience, and understanding.

Tilak Varma shared that he sustained a serious muscle injury after the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite this setback, the young left-handed batsman, instead of taking a break from domestic cricket and letting his body rest, put too much load on it again and further aggravated the injury.

Tilak spoke about a significant highlight during the India A tour to Bangladesh in 2022, when he had to retire hurt in the middle of the game. At that time, he was already signed with the Mumbai Indians, and Akash Ambani intervened, contacting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure Tilak received proper treatment. The batter admitted that arriving even a few hours later at the hospital could have been life-threatening.

“I was playing an India A game in Bangladesh. After a point my eyes became watery, I was not even able to lift the bat and all my nerves were hard. I retired hurt and came out. Akash Ambani called me right away. He spoke to the BCCI and they helped me a lot. At the hospital, they told me it could have gotten worse if I had come even a few hours later. It was that bad. Even the needle was not going in. I just wanted to come out alive,” Tilak said on ‘Breakfast with Champions.'

Tilak Varma Credits Coach and Early Struggles for Mental Toughness

Tilak also credited his childhood coach for believing in him even before he was selected for the Hyderabad team. The 22-year-old explained that his resilience and mental strength stemmed from the challenges he faced in his early years.

See Also: 'I Wanted an Upright Stance for Bouncy..' – Shreyas Iyer reflects on his new batting technique after AUS vs IND 2nd ODI

“My coach told me that he knew I would make it big and become the number one player. He would tell me this even when I had not started playing for Hyderabad yet. Many people also went against me and told things to my coach. But he never listened to anyone and worked a lot on me. There were times when I even fell at people's feet asking for just one opportunity to play. That made me a hard person. People say I do well under pressure. But I have seen such things that make me hard and all this feels like nothing,” he said.

Tilak played a crucial role in the 2025 Asia Cup final, scoring a calm and composed half-century against Pakistan to help India win a low-scoring thriller in Dubai. He is set to return for the Indian team in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, starting Wednesday, October 29.