The first two matches against South Africa were not good for Abhishek Sharma, he got out after scoring 17 runs each in Cuttack and New Chandigarh. He would like to play a match-winning innings for the team in the third match today. India vs South Africa 3rd T20 is being played today at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala. Abhishek is on the verge of breaking a big record of Virat Kohli.

The year 2025 was very good for Abhishek Sharma, he became the world number-1 batsman in T20 rankings. Abhishek has scored 1533 runs in 38 T20 innings played this year, his strike rate has been above 200. This year he will play 3 more T20 matches, which are against South Africa. He can break a big record of Virat Kohli by scoring 82 runs.

How was it for Abhishek Sharma 2025

Abhishek Sharma has scored 790 runs for the Indian team in the year 2025. In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, Abhishek scored 304 runs at an average of 50.66. His strike rate in SMAT was 249.18.

The first two matches of the ongoing T20 series against South Africa were not good for Abhishek Sharma, he was out after scoring 17 runs each in the first and second matches. However, Abhishek has 3 matches left including today’s match to break Virat Kohli’s record. Abhishek has come second in the list of Indian batsmen who have scored the most runs in a calendar year, breaking the record of Suryakumar Yadav. Now his eyes are on Kohli’s record.

Most T20 runs in a calendar year (Indian)

• 1614 runs in 20 innings- Virat Kohli (2016)
• 1533 runs in 38 innings*- Abhishek Sharma (2025)
• 1503 runs in 41 innings- Suryakumar Yadav (2022)

Abhishek Sharma has left Suryakumar Yadav behind. Suryakumar had scored 1503 runs in 41 innings in the year 2022. Abhishek has scored 1533 runs this year. Abhishek Sharma has to score 82 more runs this year. They have 3 matches including the match being played in Dharamshala today. If he is not able to break Virat Kohli’s record even today, he will have 2 more chances.

Today the third T20 match will be played between India and South Africa. The toss of this match will take place in some time. Teams of India and South Africa will clash in Dharamshala, Himachal. The five-match T20 series is currently tied at 1-1. Today in Dharamshala where Team India will take the field with the intention of avenging the defeat in New Chandigarh. South Africa will be eyeing a lead in the series.

India or South Africa, who is ahead in head-to-head record?

If we look at the head to head record in T20 matches between India and South Africa, 33 matches have been played between the two so far. During this period, Team India has won 19 matches, while South Africa has won 13 times. The result of one match could not be declared. India has won six times in the last 8 T20 matches played between the two teams.

pitch report

Bounce will be seen on the pitch of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Here fast bowlers will get help in the beginning, hence batsmen will have to avoid taking big risks in the beginning. Although this game itself is such that you have to hit big shots from the first over, but still you have to stay here and try to play 2 or 3 overs. As the game progresses, the batsmen will get help. The spinners are not likely to get much help here, so once again Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh can play together.

So far 10 T20 International matches have been held on this ground of Dharamshala, in which the team batting first and the team chasing the target have won 4 matches each, 2 matches have been inconclusive. There is a possibility of dew in Dharamshala, so winning the toss is most important.

Indian’s probable playing 11- Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Akshar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa’s probable playing 11- Quinton de Kock, Reza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brewis, Donovan Ferreira, David Miller, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamala, Lungi Ngidi, Otniel Baartman.

India vs South Africa T20 series is tied at 1-1. Suryakumar Yadav and team had won the first match played in Cuttack. In the second match, the visiting team made a brilliant comeback and won, now the third T20 will be fun and important. This match will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Know the pitch, weather report, live telecast and streaming details of the match.

India’s biggest weakness in the last two T20s has been the top order. Shubhman Gill was out in the first over both times, Abhishek Sharma also could not play a big innings. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is also struggling, runs are not coming from his bat. Arshdeep Singh’s bowling is also a question, he bowled 9 wides in Chandigarh. Arshdeep had bowled 7 wides in a single over. India gave 22 runs extra in the second T20, India needs to improve in this also.

Dharamshala Stadium Pitch Report

Bounce will be seen on the pitch of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Here fast bowlers will get help in the beginning, hence batsmen will have to avoid taking big risks in the beginning. Although this game itself is such that you have to hit big shots from the first over, but still you have to stay here and try to play 2 or 3 overs. As the game progresses, the batsmen will get help. The spinners are not likely to get much help here, so once again Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh can play together.

So far 10 T20 International matches have been held on this ground of Dharamshala, in which the team batting first and the team chasing the target have won 4 matches each, 2 matches have been inconclusive. There is a possibility of dew in Dharamshala, so winning the toss is most important.

How will the weather be in Dharamshala?

There is a forecast of rain in Dharamshala on Sunday. According to the weather report, there is a 10 percent chance of rain, but it may remain cloudy since morning. The weather will be very cold here. The maximum temperature will be 12 and the minimum temperature will be 7 degrees Celsius.

Probable playing 11 of India and South Africa

Indian playing 11 (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Akshar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa Playing 11 (Probable): Quinton de Kock, Reza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brewis, Donovan Ferreira, David Miller, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamala, Lungi Ngidi, Otniel Baartman.

Indian squad

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Washington Sundar, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty.

South Africa squad

David Miller, Dewald Brewis, Reza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Donovan Ferreira (wk), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Enrique Norkhia, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Otniel Bartman.

Timing of India vs South Africa 3rd T20

The third T20 will start on Sunday, December 14 at 7 pm. The toss will take place half an hour earlier at 6:30.

On which channel to watch live cricket match

The live telecast of India vs South Africa 3rd T20 will be on Star Sports Network channel.

On which app to watch live India vs South Africa? Africa 3rd T20?

Live streaming of India vs South Africa 3rd T20 will be on JioHotstar app and website.