India’s Probable Playing XI vs South Africa | IND vs SA 1st T20I 2025

After the three-match ODI series, the India Men’s National Cricket team will be playing the five-match T20I series against South Africa. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Shubman Gill are set to make their comeback after a short break. This series is going to be very crucial for both teams as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just a few weeks away.

The India vs South Africa T20I series will start from December 09, 2025, and the first match will be played in Cuttack, Odisha. With some big names returning and a few injury concerns as well therefore it will be quite interesting to see India's Probable Playing XI for IND vs SA 1st T20I 2025.

IND vs SA 1st T20I Match Details:

Match Between: India Men’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Men’s National Cricket Team 

Date: December 09, 2025

Venue: Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

Time: 7:00 PM (IST)

Live Streaming Details: Star Sports & JioHotstar (India & Sri Lanka), SuperSports (South Africa), PTV Sports & Myco/Tamasha app (Pakistan).

Pitch Report - Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

PC: X

As per the reports, red soil pitch is expected to be used for the IND vs SA 1st T20I 2025, which usually helps fast bowlers as it gives little bounce and movement. Spinners may come into the play later in the match, but pacers are going to dominate along with the batter.

Shubman Gill Fitness Update: Is he Playing?

Shubman Gill was ruled out of the ODI series between India and South Africa due to a neck injury suffered during day two of the first test in Kolkata. However, as per the reports, Gill is likely to play the first T20I and is expected to open with Abhishek Sharma.

But, there are some reports that also suggest that he might miss the first one or two T20Is as the T20 World Cup 2026 is around the corner; therefore, Team management would not like to take the risk.

Who will lead India’s T20I Team?

Suryakumar Yadav is going to lead the India Men’s National Cricket Team in the 1st T20I game against South Africa. It’s going to be a very crucial series for Surya as a player and a captain because he didn’t perform well in the last couple of innings, and the T20 World Cup 2026 is just a few weeks away.

Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Sharma - Wicketkeeper Battle

This is going to be a tough pick by the Indian Team Management; however, if Gill opens, India might prefer Jitesh Sharma for his explosive batting down the order for finishing. Currently, Sanju’s position in the Indian Team is quite uncertain; he might be given a chance to open or sometime in the middle order.

Therefore, Jitesh Sharma is likely to get the gloves for the India vs South Africa 1st T20I 2025, which is all set to be played at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

India’s Probable Playing XI vs South Africa 1st T20I:

India Squad vs South Africa T20I Series:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.

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