India vs South Africa — 3rd T20I, 2025: A Bowlers’ Masterclass in Dharamsala

The third T20 International of the 2025 India–South Africa series, played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on December 14 2025, was a gripping encounter that swung the momentum back in India’s favor. With the series tied 1–1, both teams came into this match knowing that a win would be crucial — and India delivered emphatically with ball and bat. 

 Conditions & Pitch — Favoring the Bowlers

Dharamsala’s December chill and helpful conditions greeted both sides. The surface offered seam and swing, which Indian pacers exploited expertly, making life uncomfortable for South African batters early on. 

 South Africa’s Innings — Markram Shines Amid Collapse

South Africa, sent in to bat first, struggled to build partnerships. The Proteas lineup was repeatedly under pressure:

• Aiden Markram was the lone standout, crafting a valiant 61 off 46 balls, showcasing grit and composure.
  
• However, the rest of the batting order never really settled, leaving SA with a below-par total of 117 all out in 20 overs.
  

Seamers like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav ensured regular breakthroughs, stifling momentum. 

 India’s Chase — Controlled & Convincing

India’s chase was a blend of calculated aggression and smart pacing:

• Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a quick 35 off 18 balls, a knock that provided the perfect launchpad.
  
• The Indian top order didn’t panic, steadily putting together the required runs and making light work of the modest target.
• India reached 120/3 in 15.5 overs, winning by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare.
  

The victory not only gave India the match but also a crucial 2–1 lead in the five-match series. 

 Standout Performances & Records

 Player of the Match

• Arshdeep Singh: Clinical with the new ball and economical throughout, he was deservedly named Player of the Match for his pivotal bowling display.
  

Milestones

The match saw some notable achievements:

• Hardik Pandya became the first Indian bowler to reach the rare T20I double of 100+ wickets and 1000+ runs — a historic milestone.
• Varun Chakravarthy continued to impress with his spin wizardry, adding crucial wickets.
  

 Tactical Takeaways

 India

• Bowling first proved decisive; disciplined swing bowling under the cool Dharamsala skies kept South Africa in check.
  
• India’s batsmen handled pressure well, pacing the chase without taking undue risks and closing out the game confidently.
  

 South Africa

• Heavy reliance on Markram for runs highlighted a lack of depth in batting contributions on that day.
• The early collapse underlined the challenge international sides face against disciplined bowling attacks in favorable conditions.

 Looking Ahead

With the series now at 2–1 in India’s favor, all eyes will turn to the upcoming 4th T20I in Lucknow — a match that could prove decisive in the race for a series win. South Africa will need to regroup quickly, while India will aim to carry forward their bowling momentum. 

 Final Thought

The third T20I was a classic example of how a disciplined bowling unit can dominate in T20 cricket, especially in conditions that support movement. India’s pacers and strategic batting chase lifted them back into series control and set up an intriguing contest for the remaining matches.