India vs South Africa: India made a stunning comeback with an effortless victory in the third T20 International at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, while chasing down a mere 118 run target in only 15.5 overs. This victory, which came with contributions from key players such as Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma, helps India gain a 2-1 lead in the current three-match series after their surprising loss in the second encounter.
India bowlers help the hosts register a clinical win in Dharamsala to take the lead in the five-match T20I series 👌#INDvSA 📝: https://t.co/BBsDtNxokm pic.twitter.com/odZ6WQxpQx
— ICC (@ICC) December 14, 2025
India Cruises to 7-Wicket Win Over South Africa
India secured a convincing 7-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Dharamsala. Chasing a modest target of 118, India reached 118/3 in 15.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma starred with 35 runs off 18 balls, while Shubman Gill contributed 28, and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 26.
Earlier, Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakaravarthy, restricted South Africa to 117 all out. The win gives India a 2-1 lead in the three-match series.
South Africa’s Batting Collapse
The South Africa was reduced to bat first, but they struggled from the very beginning. Some initial breakthroughs for India came through Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Though Aiden Markram showed some grit by scoring 61 runs, losses came regularly for him.
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Varun Chakaravarthy, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya further weakened their team, reducing South Africa to all out for 117 runs in 20 overs. It seemed that the South Africa’s bowling unit, along with Lungi Ngidi, could not make use of the favorable situation.
India’s Dominant Chase
India’s innings was led by Abhishek Sharma, who struck 35 from 18 balls, setting the tone for a smooth inning. Vice-captain Shubman Gill scored 28, with Tilak Varma left not out with 26. Though there were some hiccups in between after Sharma’s departure, India reached the target score easily in 15.5 overs, winning the match with 7 wickets in hand. Opening with some fireworks by Sharma made the result somewhat expected.
India vs South Africa: Bowling Highlights & Milestones
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were impressive with the ball and both taking two wickets. Varun Chakaravarthy also took two crucial wickets, showing good control despite the flat track that seemed to favor the pacers.
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This win is also a special one for Varun, who reached the milestone of 50 T20 International wickets, something he downplayed with a team-first mindset.
India vs South Africa: Key Moments & Impact Players
Opening fireworks by Abhishek Sharma, followed by stability from Shubman Gill during a slight hiccup, set the tone for India. A deliberate boundary by Shivam Dube to seal the match with a boundary over square leg signified India’s calmness in crunch situations. Overall team performance with both bat and ball meant that they sailed to a convincing victory.
India vs South Africa: Series Implications
This win for India gets them one step ahead in the series with a 2-1 lead, recovering from their loss in the previous encounter. South Africa’s inconsistent batting order is raising concerns about their plans for playing T20 cricket. India’s balanced playing pattern, making the best use of their spin as well as their pace, is a reflection of the adapting nature of the hosts to retain their dominance in the series.
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Disclaimer: This article summarizes the third T20I between India and South Africa; statistics and scores are accurate as per official match reports.
