It’s not a blockbuster tournament game, but a single preparation match will see the senior Indian squad led by Suryakumar Yadav in action. The match is scheduled for February 4 in Mumbai, where India will face South Africa. Notably, these two teams also clashed in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, making this a rematch fans are eagerly anticipating.

Alongside the senior team, attention will also be on India ‘A’, which features young talents like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya. India ‘A’ will play warm-up matches against the USA and Namibia. Meanwhile, Scotland has been allocated two warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia. England and Australia, on the other hand, will not play separate preparation games.

The Men in Blue are currently in red-hot form. In the last three years, India has lost only one T20 match, and since then, victories have flowed steadily. In their most recent series against New Zealand, India remained undefeated, with Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah showcasing dominating performances. This form will be crucial for India to carry into the World Cup.

In total, 15 warm-up matches will be played before the T20 World Cup. These matches will serve as a form check for senior players and provide valuable experience for emerging talent.

Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how India performs in these preparation matches, especially the senior team’s showdown against South Africa. Maintaining their current momentum in the warm-ups will position India as one of the top contenders for lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

Despite early setbacks with Shubman Gill (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (12) falling cheaply, India recovered through key contributions from Tilak Varma (26), Axar Patel (23), and Pandya, whose innings proved decisive. Shivam Dube (11) and Jitesh Sharma (10*) provided valuable support in the final overs, helping India set a challenging target.

In response, South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled completely, being bowled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs—marking their lowest-ever T20I total. Arshdeep Singh (2/14), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17), Varun Chakravarthy (2/19), Axar Patel (2/7), Hardik Pandya (1/16), and Shivam Dube (1/1) shared the wickets, while Quinton de Kock was dismissed for a duck in the first over, setting the tone for the Proteas’ collapse.

The match also saw Jasprit Bumrah reach a major milestone, claiming his 100th T20I wicket and becoming the first Indian bowler to take at least 100 international wickets across all three formats.

This dominant win gives Suryakumar Yadav-led India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second T20I will also be played at Cuttack, giving the hosts an excellent start in the contest.

An emphatic win in the #INDvSA T20I series opener #TeamIndia register a 1⃣0⃣1⃣-run victory in Cuttack to go 1⃣-0⃣ up

Scorecard https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mw3oxC5AHw

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025

Shubman Gill, returning from injury, is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Though Sanju Samson prefers opening, Gill is being preferred for his anchoring ability. Abhishek will take on the aggressive role. Captain and world No. 1 T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav will bat at his favorite No. 3 position. Tilak Varma is expected to be the priority at No. 4, adding left-handed balance to the lineup.

As wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma is currently ahead of Sanju. The reason is simple — Jitesh is explosive from ball one and is a specialist finisher, a role in which India lacks options. If Sanju plays, he would need to come down the order, which is not his natural position.

Hardik Pandya’s Return Strengthens Team Balance

Hardik Pandya’s comeback provides the perfect balance — destructive batting at No. 5 and four overs of medium-fast bowling. After him comes the reliable all-rounder Axar Patel.

In pace bowling, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the attack. Arshdeep Singh’s experience helps his case, but young Harshit Rana’s speed and aggression make him a strong contender. With Hardik available as an additional pacer, Harshit could comfortably bowl all four overs if selected.

In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav will partner with mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, a combination that could trouble South Africa’s middle order.

India’s Probable XI :

Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, (Wicketkeeper), Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh / Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah

Match Details

Toss Time: 6:30 PM (IST)

Match Start: 7:00 PM (IST)

Live Telecast: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming: JioCinema / Hotstar app & website

Earlier, India’s bowlers restricted South Africa to 270, with Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets each. Prasidh, bouncing back from a quiet start, dismantled South Africa’s middle order, proving his captain KL Rahul and coach Gautam Gambhir’s faith in him was well-placed. Quinton de Kock was the lone standout for the visitors, scoring a brilliant 106.

The victory completed an entertaining ODI series, marked by fluctuating conditions and decisive tosses. KL Rahul, the stand-in captain, made a smart call to bowl first on a dry pitch in Visakhapatnam, unlike the dew-affected second ODI in Raipur where India’s 358 went in vain. India’s bowlers executed the plan perfectly, keeping South Africa under control despite de Kock’s century.

In the chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden century and half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli guided India to a comfortable victory. Kohli’s consistent brilliance once again reinforced his status as one of the series’ standout performers.

Virat Kohli wraps the chase in style!

A commanding 9⃣-wicket victory in Vizag

With that, #TeamIndia clinch the ODI series by 2⃣-1⃣

Scorecard https://t.co/HM6zm9o7bm#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/tgxKHGpB3O

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2025

With the series sealed 2-1, India now looks forward to the upcoming T20I series, starting on 9 November.

সিরিজ বাঁচানোর লড়াইয়ে আক্রমণাত্মক ভারত পেল সহজ টার্গেট

India’s bowling attack was effective from the start. The decision of captain KL Rahul, who won the toss and chose to field, proved correct. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Ryan Rickelton in the very first over. The opening partnership between South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma came to an end at 113 runs. After Bavuma was dismissed for 48 by Ravindra Jadeja, the team had to rebuild the innings.

The major turning point of the match came in the last ball of the 33rd over. After scoring a century, de Kock misjudged a perfect delivery from Prasidh Krishna and was bowled. From that point, South Africa’s scoring rate slowed significantly. The lower-middle order failed to accelerate, with only Dewald Brevis scoring 29 runs off 29 balls.

Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling figures were impressive—4 wickets for just 41 runs in 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna also took 4 wickets. With this excellent bowling performance, Indian bowlers took complete control of the match.

After South Africa’s innings of 270, India needs 271 runs to win. This match is crucial for India in their fight to save the series. The team’s excitement was evident, especially after winning the toss, with bowling coach Morne Morkel congratulating Rahul.

South Africa are all out for 2⃣7⃣0⃣ in Vizag

Prasidh Krishna with the final wicket of the innings

He finishes with a four-wicket haul

Scorecard https://t.co/HM6zm9o7bm#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/5mays2y5uS

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2025

In this Visakhapatnam match, the aggressive mindset of Indian bowlers and the magic of Chinaman spin seem to have brought a new twist to the series.

Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata Marks 10th Edition with Inspiring Pacers

Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 358 for 5. Virat Kohli scored 102 off 93 balls, marking his 53rd ODI century, while Ruturaj Gaikwad notched his maiden ODI hundred, making 105 off 83 balls.

In response, South Africa chased down the target, scoring 362 for 6 in 49.2 overs. Aiden Markram led the way with a century (110), supported by fifties from Matthew Breetzke (68) and Dewald Brevis (54). This chase equaled the joint-highest successful ODI target against India, previously set by Australia in 2019.

Despite India’s strong batting performance in front of 60,000 spectators, South Africa capitalized on the dewy conditions to chase the total. When Brevis was dismissed for 54 off 34 balls, South Africa still needed 70 runs from 57 balls with six wickets in hand.

A brief collapse saw Breetzke and Marco Jansen fall in successive overs, leaving South Africa needing 37 off 33 balls with four wickets remaining. Tony de Zorzi’s potential hamstring injury added further tension to the chase, joining Nandre Burger, who had left the field earlier due to injury.

Ultimately, South Africa required 27 runs from 30 balls. Corbin Bosch’s aggressive batting, combined with Keshav Maharaj’s calm finishing, guided them to victory, leaving India to rue missed opportunities. Early dropped chances, especially the drop of Markram, proved costly, allowing South Africa to build a strong platform and complete the thrilling chase.

Score Summary:

South Africa: 362/6 (Markram 110, Breetzke 68, Brevis 54; Arshdeep 2-54, Prasidh 2-85)

India: 358/5 (Gaikwad 105, Kohli 102; Jansen 2-63)

Result: South Africa won by 4 wickets

দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার বিপক্ষে খেলবেন মহম্মদ শামি! সামনে এল চাঞ্চল্যকর রিপোর্ট

Former chief selector Chetan Sharma praised Shami’s consistency in line, length, and pace, saying, “How can Shami bowl like this if he wasn’t fully fit?” Additionally, Rudrapratap Singh, a current selector, was present at Eden Gardens during the match against Gujarat. Shami’s performance had raised hopes for a call-up to India’s Test squad against South Africa.

Although he wasn’t selected for the Test team, there is now a strong possibility that Shami could be included in the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series starting November 30. Shami’s dedication in the Ranji Trophy, both on the field and in the nets, reflects his determination to return to the national team.

Critics and selectors alike acknowledge that his current form and fitness could significantly strengthen India’s pace attack. At this moment, Shami’s potential comeback has become one of the most talked-about topics in the cricketing world.

কুলদীপ ঝলকে থমকাল দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা! পন্থের নেতৃত্বে ঘুরে দাঁড়াল ভারত

South Africa finished the day at 247/6. Just as they were approaching 250, India’s bowlers tightened the screws and slowed the Proteas’ progress. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with 49, while skipper Temba Bavuma contributed 41.

After the Eden Gardens defeat, India made two changes due to injuries: Shubman Gill and Axar Patel were ruled out. Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy came into the side. Most notably, Rishabh Pant made his debut as India’s Test captain.

In the morning session, some early swing troubled Markram and Rickelton as they faced Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Markram survived a dropped catch but was eventually bowled by Bumrah. India’s second breakthrough came just before lunch—Kuldeep dismissed Rickelton, with captain Pant taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.

However, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled, often losing his line and length, which piled additional pressure on Pant and the bowlers. Meanwhile, Stubbs and Bavuma settled in and built a steady partnership. Ravindra Jadeja was introduced late, but the move paid off—Yashasvi Jaiswal pouched a brilliant diving catch to remove Bavuma.

Kuldeep Yadav struck again to dismiss Stubbs for 49, with KL Rahul safely taking the catch at slip. Siraj then removed Tony de Zorzi (28) with the new ball just before bad light, as the batter edged to Pant.

At stumps, Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne remained unbeaten at the crease.

Fire department officials said multiple fire engines rushed to the spot as soon as the incident was reported. It took a long time to bring the blaze under control. The injured were immediately taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. Delhi Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the National Security Guard (NSG) reached the scene soon after, and forensic teams have already begun their investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the incident may have been a planned act of sabotage.

A senior fire officer said, “Though the fire has been brought under control, several vehicles were badly damaged due to the intensity of the blast. The injured were rescued promptly.” Following the explosion, a “high alert” has been declared across Delhi. Security has also been tightened in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Ayodhya, especially around the Ram Temple complex.

The repercussions of the Red Fort blast have reached Kolkata as well. Lalbazar (Kolkata Police Headquarters) has issued an alert to all city police stations, urging extra vigilance. This comes ahead of the India vs. South Africa Test series, set to begin at Eden Gardens on November 14. The Indian team has already arrived in Kolkata, and the South African squad is expected to reach the city tonight.

According to sources, a three-tier security arrangement will be in place at Eden Gardens and surrounding areas during the match. CCTV surveillance will be strengthened, with bomb and dog squads deployed across key points. Strict frisking and baggage checks will be conducted at all entry gates.

Meanwhile, India’s coach Gautam Gambhir had planned to visit the Kalighat Temple on Tuesday, but that visit has been postponed due to the current situation. The Delhi blast has triggered widespread concern across the country. The Union Home Ministry has formed a special investigation team to uncover the cause and conspiracy behind the explosions. Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm but alert.