Cuttack T20I: South Africa elect to field against India
What's the story
India are set to take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series, with Cuttack's Barabati Stadium hosting the series opener. While the Proteas clinched the Test series 2-0, India bounced back with a 2-1 triumph in ODIs. The two star-studded sides now look to prevail in the T20I leg. SA captain Aiden Markram has won the toss and elected to field first.
India XI
Jitesh Sharma preferred over Sanju Samson
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, at the toss, announced that Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana will miss the game. This means Jitesh Sharma will be India's designated finisher in the XI. Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh.
Information
South Africa's Playing XI
SA (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, and Anrich Nortje.
Details
Pitch report and streaming details
The surface at Barabati Stadium is known for assisting the bowlers, especially spinners, in the middle overs. Fast bowlers are also expected to garner early swing. According to ESPNcricinfo, Team India has lost two T20Is to South Africa at this venue. Meanwhile, one can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on the JioHotstar app/website.
Record
A look at head-to-head record
The two teams have squared off 31 times in T20I cricket. Team India has won 18 matches, with South Africa pocketing 12 wins (NR: 1). On Indian soil, the two sides have faced each other 12 times. India have won five matches, with South Africa claiming six wins (NR: 1). SA's only T20I series win in India (multiple matches) came in 2015 (2-0).
Performers
Here are the star performers
With 756 runs at a strike rate of 196.36, Abhishek Sharma is India's leading run-getter in T20Is this year. Kuldeep Yadav has claimed 19 wickets in just nine T20Is this year. Dewald Brevis's 395 T20I runs in 2025 have come at an average of 35.90 (SR: 183.72). With 17 wickets, Corbin Bosch is the leading wicket-taker for SA in 2025 (T20Is).