India vs South Africa Prediction, 1st T20I – Who will win today’s match between IND vs SA?

In a repeat of the T20 World Cup 2024 finale, India (IND) and South Africa (SA) will be contesting in the first T20I of the series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. This is also the last leg of the all-format tour, where the Proteas won the Tests, whereas, the One-Day Internationals went to the Men in Blue.

Speaking of India, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side has been in some tremendous form of late, having won the Asia Cup 2025 followed by a series win against the mighty Australian side Down Under. The countdown for the 2026 T20 World Cup is also well and truly on, as the side will be defending their crown at the upcoming mega event. They will be confident of getting a win under their belt at Cuttack.

South Africa, on the contrary, have had a very horrendous campaign in the shortest format of the game. This will be their first T20I assignment after the 1-2 drubbing against Pakistan. Before the Pakistan tour, the Proteas had also lost to Namibia — an associate nation, in the one-off encounter. Further back, they managed to draw against England, which now puts them under the pump to find some winning momentum.

India vs South Africa Match Details

Barabati Stadium, Cuttack — Pitch Report

The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack has been host to three T20 Internationals in the past, of which, South Africa have been a part of a couple, also winning on both the occasions. Two-thirds of the games here have been won by the teams chasing. While the pitch offers equal assistance to both spin and pace, bowlers with better variations are more likely to generate better success, as the dew and cold weather may not allow for the ball to grip a lot. A total of 160 can easily be considered a winning score on a surface like this.

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

IND vs SA — Predicted Playing 11s

India

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

South Africa

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

IND vs SA — Probable Top Performers

Probable Best Batter — Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma has become among the most feared names among T20 batters in the last twelve months or so. He was the Player of the Series during the Asia Cup, and followed the success into the Australia series as well. While he has been away from international action, the Punjab batter also featured in the domestic set-up, playing six games during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, also scoring a century and two fifties. His marauding blade is expected to fire tonight as well.

Probable Best Bowler — Varun Chakravarthy

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is currently in red-hot form in the shortest format. He was also named the designated captain of Tamil Nadu for the SMAT tournament, but has now joined the Men in Blue for national duties.  With his ability to turn the ball both ways, the spinner can trap the batters at will, while also controlling the flow of runs from one end. On a pitch like Cuttack, the 34-year-old will enjoy deliveries his four-over spell.

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

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