IND vs SA 4th T20 kicks off on Wednesday in Lucknow. The vice-captain, Gill, has managed just 32 runs across three matches. His torturous 28 off 28 in Dharamsala sealed his fate. India leads 2-1, but the team selection overshadows the series itself.
Sanju Samson waits in the wings. The wicketkeeper-batter hasn’t played since October despite smashing three T20I centuries last year. His numbers speak volumes with 522 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 178.77. Meanwhile, Gill has scored 869 runs from 36 innings but strikes at a slower rate. The management now faces a simple choice.
The team brings back Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah after resting them for the third match. It means more changes to the playing XI. Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav replaced them in Dharamsala, and both grabbed two wickets each. Arshdeep Singh or Varun Chakaravarthy could be benched if management retains them.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t scored either. He’s made exactly 12 runs in each of the three matches. Two key batters are now misfiring at the wrong time. India can still seal the series in Lucknow, where they’ve never lost a T20I.
However, the management must address these individual concerns before the 2026 World Cup. If you’re following the IND vs SA 4th T20 live action, expect a different Indian lineup with clear answers about selection.
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Match Details: IND vs SA 4th T20
- Match: India vs South Africa, 4th T20I
- Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
- Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Time: Evening (7:00 PM IST start expected)
- Live streaming: JioHotstar
- Series Status: India leads 2-1 in a 5-match series
IND vs SA T20 Series: Gill’s Form Collapse in Numbers
Gill hasn’t scored a fifty since returning to the T20I squad in September. His 2025 stats show 291 runs in 15 innings, with an average of 24.25 and a strike rate of 147.8. Bowlers have dismissed him eight times in the power play. He’s hit just two sixes during that phase all year.
Abhishek strikes at 185.7 in the powerplay and has smashed 44 sixes. India wants aggressive starts under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching. Gill takes time to settle, which doesn’t fit the plan. When he tries to accelerate, he loses his wicket.
In the IND vs SA T20 series, he made 4 off 2 balls in the first match, then departed for a golden duck in the second. Finally, he labored to 28 in the third. India won that game by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining. Largely, Abhishek gave them the fast start they needed with 35 off 18 balls.
IND vs SA T20 Squad 2025: Why Sanju Samson Gets Another Shot
Samson opened with Abhishek before Gill returned and looked comfortable doing it. His record proves he can handle the job with 522 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 178.77. He understands how to pace an innings without playing recklessly.
The IND vs SA T20 squad 2025 offers plenty of options. India doesn’t need to keep a struggling player when they have a good alternative. Samson last played in October, which means he comes in fresh and eager. Three T20I hundreds in one year show class. Additionally, he keeps wicket, which adds balance to the team.
Expected Playing XI
For India
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill / Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Harshit Rana / Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
For South Africa
Ryan Rickelton / Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller / Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje /Ottniel Baartman
Pitch Report: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Teams batting first average 151 runs at this venue. Teams chasing usually manage 126 runs. The surface offers decent pace and bounce early on. Spinners come into play during the middle overs as the pitch slows down. Boundaries stay at reasonable distances. The evening dew factor could help teams chase.
Clear weather awaits those checking the IND vs SA live score today. The match starts in the evening under lights, which should help the seamers in the powerplay.
Interestingly, Suryakumar struggled here during the Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November. He managed just 43 as his highest score across several games. That doesn’t bode well for India’s captain, but team form matters more than individual venues.
IND vs SA Live Score Today: What South Africa Must Do
Aiden Markram has carried South Africa’s batting with 104 runs in the series. His 61 in the third match kept them in the game single-handedly. The team collapsed for 117 in Dharamsala, far too low to defend.
Quinton de Kock started well with 91 runs across three games at a strike rate of 178.43. But the middle order keeps failing. Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis haven’t fired consistently. David Miller hasn’t played a big innings yet. Lungi Ngidi leads their bowling with 6 wickets. Anrich Nortje brings pace and experience.
For the IND vs SA live stream viewers, South Africa needs a complete performance. They trail 2-1 with two matches left. A loss in Lucknow ends the series.
IND vs SA 4th T20 Highlights: Key Battles to Watch
India starts as the favorite with around 71% win probability. Home advantage works in their favor. Better recent form helps. A settled combination gives them confidence.
Top Performers So Far
India: Tilak Varma leads with 114 runs (SR: 114.00). Hardik Pandya has 79 runs (SR: 154.90). Abhishek Sharma scored 69 runs (SR: 181.58). Varun Chakaravarthy tops bowling with 6 wickets. Arshdeep Singh has 4 wickets.
South Africa: Aiden Markram leads with 104 runs (SR: 120.93). Quinton de Kock has 91 runs (SR: 178.43). Lungi Ngidi leads the bowling with 6 wickets.
The power play will decide plenty. If Abhishek fires again, South Africa will chase from behind. Varun Chakaravarthy’s battle against South Africa’s left-handers looks crucial. He’s troubled them throughout with his variations.
IND vs SA T20 What Next
This match carries significance beyond the series outcome. India is building towards the T20 World Cup in 2026. They need to identify their best XI and give players confidence in their roles. Backing someone clearly out of form doesn’t help this process.
Gill’s situation isn’t about one bad series. It’s about fit. Does his style work in this aggressive setup?
Right now, the answer looks like no. Suryakumar’s form concerns everyone equally. Captains need runs to lead perfectly. Three consecutive scores of 12 suggest something’s off.
Winning in Lucknow seals the series for India. Getting combinations right for the future runs parallel to this. South Africa fights for survival. They’ve shown they can compete when things click, but consistency has eluded them.
India wins this, and the debate ends. Gill sits out, Samson delivers, and the team marches toward another trophy. That’s how Wednesday needs to go.
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