Fans react as India lights up Dharamsala with clinical win over South Africa in the third T20I

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India produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat South Africa by seven wickets in the third T20I at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. After electing to bowl first, the Indian bowlers dismantled the Proteas’ batting lineup before the hosts chased down a modest target with ease to take full control of the contest.

The decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends for India as the pace trio made early inroads into South Africa’s top order. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were dismissed cheaply, leaving the visitors under pressure inside the powerplay. Arshdeep Singh was exceptional with the new ball, conceding just 13 runs in his four overs while picking up two wickets. Varun Chakaravarthy complemented him perfectly in the middle overs, using his variations to great effect and finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 11.

Harshit Rana’s aggressive spells brought further breakthroughs, although he was slightly expensive, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube chipped in with a wicket apiece. Kuldeep Yadav’s short spell was equally impactful as he struck twice in just two overs, ensuring South Africa never found a way to accelerate.

Amid the collapse around him, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram played a lone hand to give his side some respectability. Markram scored a well-compiled 61 off 46 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, and showed composure as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end. Donovan Ferreira provided brief support with a quick 20 off 15 balls, but no other batter managed to reach double figures with any authority. South Africa were eventually bowled out for 117 in exactly 20 overs, a total that always looked below par on a true Dharamsala surface.

India’s reply began on a positive note as Abhishek Sharma took on the South African bowlers from the outset. The left-hander smashed 35 off just 18 balls, including three fours and three sixes, to give the hosts early momentum. Although wickets fell at intervals, India never allowed the required run rate to climb.

Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a composed 28 off 28 balls, rotating the strike effectively, while Tilak Varma played a calm knock of 26 from 34 deliveries to ensure there were no late hiccups. Suryakumar Yadav added a brisk 12 before Shivam Dube finished the chase in style with a quickfire 10 off four balls.

Despite Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen picking up a wicket each, South Africa’s bowlers were unable to apply sustained pressure. India reached 120 for 3 in 15.5 overs, sealing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. The win underlined India’s bowling depth and batting composure as they outplayed South Africa in all departments in the third T20I.

Also WATCH: Arshdeep Singh removes Reeza Hendricks with a beauty in 3rd T20I – IND vs SA

Shivam Dube with the winning runs 🥳#TeamIndia register a 7-wicket win in Dharamshala and lead the series 2⃣-1⃣

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/AJZYgMAHc0#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2025

🚨 INDIA DEFEATED SOUTH AFRICA IN THE THIRD T20I 🚨

– Surya & his team takes 2-1 lead. 🏆

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 14, 2025

💥 India Dominate in Dharamsala! 🇮🇳

A convincing 7-wicket victory gives India a 2–1 lead in the T20I series! 🔥💙

Scorecard: https://t.co/D08ShRYLSU#INDvSA #3rdT20I #cricket #dharamsala #India

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 14, 2025

Bowled a beauty ✨And so casual about it 😮‍💨 #INDvSA 📷 : Jio star

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 14, 2025

INDIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN THE 3RD T20I.

– India takes the lead 2-1.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 14, 2025

India go 2-1 up in the series 🔥#SAvIND #SAvsIND #INDvSA #INDvsSA

— Prakhar Srivastava (@PrakharSri7) December 14, 2025

Sanju Samson watching 27 balls 28 run terrorism of Shubman Gill. 💔#INDvSA #savind #indvssa #savsind

— Bhai_Ayush (@Ayush90656) December 14, 2025

Abhishek Sharma completed his 300 sixes in T20I today#abhisheksharma #INDvSA #SAvsIND #bbvipks4

— Anand Shukla | Cricket | Politics | Sports (@unsubtledesilad) December 14, 2025

Shivam Dube came:

6️⃣ 4️⃣

Bas bhai, match jaldi khatam karo 🔥#INDvSA #INDvsSA

— Hardik Gohil (@GohilHardy) December 14, 2025

Big congrats to Varun on achieving 50 wickets in T20 cricket. Consistency pays off!👏 Many more to come 🔥#varunchakravarthy #INDvsSA #INDvSA

— venkki.ram (@venkkiram) December 14, 2025

Team India registered an easy victory in Dharamsala! 🇮🇳💙

The hosts chased down the target with 25 balls to spare to take a 2–1 lead in the series. 👏#INDvSA #T20Is #SurykumarYadav #Sportskeeda

— alinawaz siddiqui (@ghazipur63) December 14, 2025

India's middle order is completely out of form at the moment and it's becoming an increasing concern. This team heavily depends on Abhishek Shama. #INDvSA

— Prisha (@prishhss) December 14, 2025

Also READ: IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya scripts history with unique milestone during 3rd T20I