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India
South Africa
The five-match T20I series between India and South Africa is all set for a thrilling finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
With India leading the series 2-1 after the last match was abandoned due to dense fog, the pressure is squarely on South Africa, who must win to level the series at 2-2. India, meanwhile, needs a victory to secure a decisive series win on home turf.
Cricket fans can expect a high-stakes encounter as both teams push for supremacy in the final, decisive match of the tour.
The Narendra Modi Stadium is currently a "batting paradise". During the 2025 IPL season, the average first-innings score was a staggering 218.87. Expect a high-scoring encounter
The betting tip is...
Total Runs: Over 180.5 in 1st Innings
72 %
28 %
IndiaSouth AfricaIndia's camp has been dealing with fitness and availability issues ahead of the decider. All-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the final T20I due to illness, with Shahbaz Ahmed named as his replacement in the squad.
The availability of opener Shubman Gill remains questionable, as varying reports suggest he is either out of the series or still being assessed by the medical team. This potentially opens the door for Ruturaj Gaikwad to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order.
Otherwise, the team is likely to stick to the winning combination that performed well in the third T20I, featuring strong finishing from Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik and incisive bowling led by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
India will be going with the strongest XI for the match.
Predicted Lineup: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah/Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
South Africa head into the 5th T20I looking to reset after the 4th match was abandoned and a below-par batting display in the 3rd T20I. Aiden Markram will take confidence from his 61 off 46 in that game, an innings that stood out in otherwise tough batting conditions.
At the top, Quinton de Kock and Markram will focus on handling the powerplay more smartly, mixing intent with control against any early movement. Tristan Stubbs is likely to play a key role through the middle overs, providing stability while keeping the scoring ticking.
The lower middle order gives South Africa depth, with Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Donovan Ferreira expected to inject late momentum by adding quick 20β30 run contributions at strike rates above 140. The bowling unit remains a major positive, with Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi set to attack upfront and at the death, while Marco Jansen continues to exploit bounce and pace to apply pressure throughout the innings.
South Africa will field in the strongest playing XI hoping to level the series.
Predicted Lineup: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
India is the favourite to win the 5th T20I and clinch the series due to their strong momentum and home advantage, while South Africa is struggling with key player injuries.
The match is expected to be a high-scoring encounter on a batting-friendly pitch in Ahmedabad
