Indian speedster Bumrah returns to the playing XI as the South Africa tour of India reaches its climax tonight, in the 5th T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19, 2025.
Toss news: South Africa wins the toss and decide to bowl first. India bat first.
India enters the contest with renewed confidence after the abandoned game in Lucknow kept their winning run intact.
Team news
The spotlight is on vice-captain Shubman Gill, whose availability remains uncertain due to a toe injury. However, fans are buoyed by the likely return of Jasprit Bumrah, whose pace and precision could tilt the balance in India’s favor.
South Africa, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency at the top of the order. Their powerplay numbers remain among the weakest, averaging just 20.21 runs with a strike rate of 7.21.
Even with Quinton de Kock back in the lineup, collapses in Cuttack and Dharamsala have exposed their batting frailties. The team continues to experiment with its middle order, searching for a reliable No.5 option.
Anrich Nortje, South African pacer, is optimistic about his team playing to level the series. He said, “Guys are jamming really well, getting along very well, and everyone knows their role in the team. And I think that’s very important.”
Ind vs SA 5th T20 TV telecast and live stream
Catch the match on Star Sports in multiple Indian regional languages, including Hindi (Star Sports 1 Hindi), Tamil (Star Sports 1 Tamil), Telugu (Star Sports 1 Telugu), Kannada (Star Sports 1 Kannada), Bengali (Star Sports 1 Bangla), and Malayalam, along with English (Star Sports 1/Select).
For online streaming, watch live on the Disney+ Hotstar website, or use the mobile app on Android and iOS for on-the-go viewing.
Ahmedabad calling ☎️🔥
With the series victory on the line and a 2–1 advantage, Team India step into the decider with one goal, seal it in style. 💥#INDvSA 👉 5th T20I 👉 FRI, 19th DEC, 5:30PM onwards pic.twitter.com/yEkFaM2t7S
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 19, 2025
Probable Playing XIs
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakarvarthy
Pitch report
The Ahmedabad pitch has produced high-scoring games earlier this month, though pacers may find early assistance. Dew could play a role in the second innings, making the toss strategy crucial.
South Africa has won only one bilateral series since January 2023, and a victory
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