India face South Africa in Dharamsala (Image Source: X/@BCCI)
What’s the story
The third match of the five-match T20I series between India and South Africa is taking place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
With the series being poised at 1-1, both teams will look to gain the series lead.
India clinched the first T20I before with the visitors winning next.
Here’s the toss update and team news of the 3rd T20I.
A look at the series summary so far
India secured a massive 101-run victory in the first T20I with Hardik Pandya shining with both bat and ball.
Notably, the game saw South Africa record their lowest-ever T20I total of 74/10.
However, the visitors made a strong comeback in the second game, with Quinton de Kock scoring a brilliant 90 runs.
Ottneil Baartman also contributed with a four-wicket haul.
Here’s the H2H record
Overall in T20Is, the two teams have met each other 33 times, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Team India has won 19 matches, with South Africa pocketing 13 wins (NR: 1).
On Indian soil, the two sides have faced each other 14 times. SA lead this head-to-head record 7-6 as one of their games got abandoned due to rain.
In Dharamsala, SA lead India 1-0.
We will bowl first, says Suryakumar
At the toss, Suryakumar said “We will bowl first, looks a good wicket, don’t think it will change much. There will be dew later on, so we want to bowl first.”
He also said every game is important.
“Wonderful place, wonderful ground – hope we give them some entertainment. Every game is important. That’s the beauty of the game, the way you come back.”
Kuldeep and Rana come in; Axar and Bumrah rested
India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Tonight it’s important to perform, says Markram
SA skipper Aiden Markram said this match will be a challenge.
“Very cold, it’s a beautiful venue. It was a good response. It was nice to see that. Tonight it’s important to perform. It’s a challenge. We’ll have to asses the condiitions up front. Hopefully we get a good score.”
He also confirmed three changes in the line-up for the contest.
SA’s playing XI for the 3rd T20I
South Africa playing XI: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
