The India vs South Africa 4th T20I begins at 7:00 PM IST today at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. India lead the series 2-1, and a win today will seal the series .
Match details and schedule
The fourth match of the 2025-26 India vs South Africa T20I series will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Live streaming will be available on JioCinema and Sports18. The toss is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, and the match will be played over 20 overs a side. India won the first match of the series, South Africa won the second, and India won the third by 7 wickets in Dharamsala. India now has strong momentum going into the fourth T20I .
The Ekana Stadium doesn't have a batting-friendly T20 history, but recent IPL matches have seen high scores. The average first innings score ranges from 155-165 .
Ekana Stadium Lucknow Pitch Report
The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is known for being a slow and turning track, offering significant assistance to spinners. Pacers can find swing in the first six overs, but the grip and bounce in the middle overs are perfect for spinners. In the five recent T20Is, the chasing team has won three times, thanks to the dew factor. Average scores: 162 in the first innings and 158 in the second .
The pitch has short boundaries, which favors big hitters, but the lack of grass provides grip. Captains winning the toss may prefer to bowl first. The weather will be clear, with temperatures ranging from 18-22°C to around 60% humidity .
India's probable playing 11 and team news
India captain Suryakumar Yadav is in form, and the team will field with minor changes. Shubman Gill and Harshit Rana may be rested, with Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah expected to replace them .
India's probable playing 11:
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson / Yashasvi Jaiswal
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dubey
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
Axar Patel
Washington Sundar / Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Varun Chakravarthy (12th man option )
Key changes: Bumrah's return will be a game-changer in the death overs. Hardik Pandya will provide all-around impact. Impact player: Rinku Singh or Ravi Bishnoi. India has strong batting depth, especially in the middle order .
South Africa's probable playing 11 and strategy
South Africa are in a must-win situation, with Aiden Markram as captain, their focus is on top-order stability. Quinton de Kock will provide explosive starts .
South Africa's probable playing 11:
Reeza Hendricks
Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
Aiden Markram (Captain)
Tristan Stubbs
Heinrich Classen
David Miller
Marco Jensen
Keshav Maharaj
Gerald Coetzee
Lungi Nagidi
Othniel Bartman / Lizad Williams
Their spin attack will be strengthened by Maharaj and Shamsi, who will be a force to reckon with. Klaasen and Miller's power-hitting in the middle order can help them defend a 170+ target. Injury update: Kagiso Rabada is unavailable .
Key players to watch out for
India's star performers:
Suryakumar Yadav: 250+ runs in recent form, lethal against spin .
Hardik Pandya: All-round threat with his batting and bowling, perfect yorker at the death .
Jasprit Bumrah: Can destroy South Africa's top order with his pace and variations .
South Africa's X-Factors:
Quinton de Kock: Has scored 50+ in the powerplay in this series .
Heinrich Klaasen: Accelerates in the middle overs, can punish spin .
Keshav Maharaj: Can take 3-4 wickets on a pitch like Ekana .
The result of the match will depend on these players .
Head-to-head stats and recent form
T20I head-to-head: India 18 wins, South Africa 12 (32 matches total). India won 3 of the last 5. India is 2-1 up in the series, having chased down the third match and won comfortably. South Africa made a comeback in the second match thanks to Quinton's 90 .
India's current form: WWWLL (last 5). South Africa: LWLWW. Home advantage will boost India .
IND vs SA Prediction and Fantasy Tips
Top Picks:
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav / Quinton de Kock
Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya / Heinrich Klaasen
Must-picks: Bumrah, Maharaj, Tilak Varma
Grand League: High-risk picks like Abhishek Sharma or Tristan Stubbs. Small League: Safe options like Sky and Klaasen. Prioritize Axar and Maharaj as the pitch is spinner-friendly .
Match Prediction: Who will win today?
Experts consider India a 60-65% favorite, given their home crowd and form. If India scores 165+, they will be able to defend it with Bumrah and Pandya. South Africa will need to score 180+ with their top order .
Final prediction: India to win by 6 wickets, chasing the target. Scoreline: India 166/4 (18.2 overs), South Africa 165/7. Toss: India to bowl first .
Astrology Angle: Planets of Rahuka
Today, Mars is strong in Aries, which suits India's aggressive style. Saturn's influence will pose a challenge for South Africa. Team India's stars are aligning for victory.
FAQ: Questions related to IND vs SA 4th T20I
Q1: When and where will India vs South Africa 4th T20 be played?
A: Today, 17th December 2025 at 7:00 PM IST at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow .
Q2: What is the probable playing 11 of both the teams?
A: India - Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar (captain), Hardik Pandya, etc. South Africa - Quinton de Kock, Klaasen, Markram, etc. See the full list above .
Q3: What does the pitch report of Ekana Stadium say?
A: Slow and spinner-friendly, average score 160. Chasing team has the advantage .
Q4: Who will win the match today – Prediction?
A: India favourites (60-65% chance), expected to win by 6 wickets .
Q5: Who are the best picks for Dream11?
A: Captain – Suryakumar Yadav, VC – Hardik Pandya .
Q6: Where to watch the match live?
A: On JioCinema app or Sports18 channel.