On December 17, 2025, cricket fans will witness a high‑stakes clash as India takes on South Africa in the 4th T20I at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
The match begins at 7:00 PM IST. The match carries major importance, with India aiming for their 14th consecutive T20I series win.
India vs South Africa 4th T20I Preview
India currently leads the series 2–1 and enters the fourth match with strong momentum. Despite inconsistent batting from key players like Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav, the team has shown impressive depth and resilience. The preview notes that India have bowled out their opponents 15 times in 33 innings since July 2024 — the most by any team during this period.
The conditions in Lucknow are expected to be chilly and foggy, with early dew likely to influence the match. Recent T20 games at the venue have produced middling totals, offering early movement for pacers but limited assistance for spinners. This could make the powerplay overs crucial for both sides.
Tv channels and live streaming details
Fans in India can watch the T20 on the Star Sports network, including Star Sports 1 and its HD and regional channels, available on all major DTH and cable platforms. For live streaming, viewers can tune in on Disney+ Hotstar by visiting the official website at hotstar.com or using the Disney+ Hotstar app on mobile devices and smart TVs.
#TeamIndia head to Lucknow with the series win in sight! 🔥
A victory tonight will make it 3-1, 🇮🇳’s 7th consecutive T20I series win! 😳#INDvSA 4th T20I 👉 WED, 17th DEC, 6 PM pic.twitter.com/1KsmkPzcf9
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2025
Team News and Probable XIs
India will miss Axar Patel, who has been ruled out of the series. Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as his replacement. There is still uncertainty around Jasprit Bumrah’s availability, though Shivam Dube mentioned he “thinks” Bumrah is available for selection.
India’s probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana/Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.
South Africa, meanwhile, are dealing with repeated batting collapses and are expected to continue rotating their squad. Their lineup includes experienced names like Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Anrich Nortje, alongside young talents such as Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs.
Key Stats and Player Insights
Abhishek Sharma is just 47 runs away from breaking Virat Kohli’s 2016 record of 1614 T20 runs in a calendar year — the highest by an Indian batter. India has also won seven of the eight completed T20Is featuring the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy in 2025.
South African pacer Anrich Nortje praised the competitive environment within the squad, saying it “creates opportunity and pressure, which is good.” Meanwhile, Shivam Dube described Suryakumar Yadav as a “fighter” who always wants to contribute to the team.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, both teams view this match as crucial preparation. A win for India will seal the series, while South Africa will fight to push the contest into a decider.
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