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IND vs SA statistical preview: Key stats, records and head to head ahead of 1st T20I

Kaushik Kashyap

India will take on South Africa. [Source - @bcci/X]India will take on South Africa. [Source - @bcci/X]

After some thrilling, edge-of-the-seat encounters in the ODIs, India and South Africa are set to resume their rivalry in a five-match T20I series. The action kicks off on Tuesday, December 9, with the 1st T20I starting at 7:00 PM IST at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

India

India head into the T20I series on the back of a hard-fought series win in Australia. Shubman Gill returns from injury, Abhishek Sharma continues to impress, and Suryakumar Yadav leads the side with hopes for a better showing from the middle-order. With Jasprit Bumrah spearheading the bowling and Hardik Pandya also back from his injury, India look well-equipped to build momentum ahead of the home T20 World Cup.

South Africa

South Africa faces a crucial T20I challenge after a disappointing run this year, including a recent loss to Pakistan. Captain Aiden Markram hopes to turn things around with a talented and experienced squad. David Miller returns and will be playing his first T20I of the year, bolstering a batting lineup featuring the likes of Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs, while the familiar ODI bowling attack, led by red-hot allrounder Marco Jansen, aims to dominate.

IND vs SA T20I head-to-head overview

India and South Africa have faced each other in 31 T20Is to date. India lead the head-to-head record with 18 wins, while South Africa has claimed 12 victories, and one match ended with no result.

Barabati Stadium, Cuttack pitch report

The Barabati Stadium pitch often offers a balanced contest for bat and ball, and with the expected red-soil surface this time, it will provide good bounce and early assistance to seamers. Spinners may struggle to contain runs, especially with dew, making it crucial for the toss-winning team to bat first as conditions will only get better to bat with time.

India and South Africa probable playing XI

India

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy.

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje.

Top run-scorers in IND vs SA T20Is

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

1. David Miller - 524 runs

David Miller has been South Africa’s standout performer in T20Is against India, piling up 524 runs in 22 innings at a blistering strike rate of 147.19. The powerful left-hander thrives against the Men in Blue, smashing one century and two commanding half-centuries.

2. Suryakumar Yadav - 372 runs

Suryakumar Yadav sits second on the list, having blasted 372 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 163.87. The dynamic stroke-maker has tormented South Africa’s attack with one century and four half-centuries in T20Is.

3. Quinton de Kock - 351 runs

Quinton de Kock, placed third, has also enjoyed a prolific run against India in T20Is, hammering 351 runs at an average of 43.87 and a strike rate of 138.73. The aggressive opener has dominated with four half-centuries across just ten innings.

Top wicket-takers in SA vs IND T20Is

We are considering only the players present in the current squad.

1. Arshdeep Singh - 18 wickets

Arshdeep Singh has been exceptional against South Africa in T20Is, claiming 18 wickets in just 10 games at an average of 17 and a strike rate of 11.3. His new-ball swing and sharp death-overs accuracy have repeatedly caused problems for the Proteas’ batting.

2. Keshav Maharaj - 15 wickets

Keshav Maharaj has been a vital presence for South Africa against India in T20Is, collecting 15 wickets while featuring in the most games for his side. His accuracy, control and subtle changes of pace consistently trouble India’s middle order.

3. Varun Chakravarthy - 12 wickets

Varun Chakravarthy has made a remarkable impact in this fixture, taking 12 wickets in just four games at an average of 11.50 and a strike rate of 8. His mystery spin and tight lines have quickly elevated him to third on the wicket chart for IND vs SA T20Is.

IND vs SA key stats

India’s key records

  • Abhishek Sharma has been India's best T20I batter in 2025 - 756 runs. 47.25 average and 196.36 strike-rate.
  • Varun Chakravarthy is India's highest wicket-taker in T20I this year with 26 wickets at 13.96 average and 12 strike-rate.
  • Both Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson scored two centuries each the last time India played South Africa in the T20I series.
  • Varun Chakravarthy was the highest wicket-taker in the last India vs South Africa T20I series - 12 wickets, 11.5 average and 8 strike-rate.
  • Axar Patel has been the most economical bowler for India in T20Is, 2025 - 14 wickets at 6.95 economy rate.
  • India’s batting middle-order has a below-par strike-rate in T20 in 2025 - 128.85 strike-rate, 25.30 average.
  • India has played left-arm pacers very well in T20Is in 2025 - 40.83 average at 141.61 strike-rate.

South Africa's key records

  • South Africa has played two T20Is at Barabati Stadium and won both of them against India.
  • Dewald Brevis has been South Africa’s best T20I batter in 2025 - 395 runs, 35.90 average and 183.72 strike-rate.
  • Lungi Ngidi has an impressive 10 wickets at a bowling strike-rate of 9.3 against India in T20Is.
  • Marco Jansen scored 102 runs at 217.02 last time India and South Africa played in a T20I series.
  • Corbin Bosch has taken the highest number of wickets for SA in T20I this year - 17 wickets, 16.94 average and 13.4 strike-rate.
  • South Africa has the worst performing top-order in T20Is this year - 18.73 average, 126.10 strike-rate.
  • But their middle-order has one of the best strike-rates in T20Is in 2025 - 143.45 strike-rate, 22.88 average.

Records which could be broken in IND vs SA 1st T20I

  • Suryakumar Yadav needs one century to equal Rohit Sharma's tally of most T20I centuries.
  • Jasprit Bumrah needs 1 wicket to complete 100 T20 international wickets.
  • Hardik Pandya needs 2 wickets to complete 100 T20I wickets.
  • Reeza Hendricks needs 17 runs to complete 2500 T20I runs.
  • Aiden Markram needs 33 runs to complete 1500 T20I runs.
  • Aiden Markram also needs 50 runs to complete his 5000 T20 runs.