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India vs South Africa 1st T20I Predictions - Sharma to shut the Proteas attack down

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 08 Dec 2025

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Simon Lewis 08 Dec 2025

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Abhishek Sharma has scored 148, 50, 34 and 62 in his last four innings.
Quinton de Kock hit six sixes in his 89-ball 106 against India in the 3rd ODI.
Can India continue their T20I dominance over South Africa by winning the 1st T20I?

Expired

India's Abhishek Sharma hits out against Australia (Getty Images).

India vs South Africa Predictions

India are ranked the number one T20I side, with South Africa in fifth place. India come into the series after beating Australia 2-1, while South Africa lost 2-1 to Pakistan. On the back of clinching the ODI series 2-1 against South Africa, this looks like a good call for India to take the series, starting with a win in the 1st T20I.

India vs South Africa Predictions
Head-to-Head
India Form
South Africa Form
India vs South Africa Team News & Squads

India’s Abhishek Sharma (920 points) is currently No.1 on the ICC T20I batting rankings.
India’s Shubman Gill has scored 46 & 29* in his last 2 T20I innings.
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has scored 123*, 53 & 106 in his last 5 innings.
South Africa’s Aiden Markram hit four sixes in his 98–ball 110 in the 2nd ODI against India.

Head-to-Head

India have won four and lost one of their last five T20Is against South Africa, including the last two in a row.

India Form

India clinched their rain-spoiled five-match T20I series against Australia 2–1 after winning the 3rd and 4th matches on the bounce, by five wickets and 48 runs respectively.

Sanju Samson has been in good form domestically (43 ,46 and 73*), as has Suryakumar Yadav (47, 35, 31*, 20 and 32).

Arshdeep Singh (3/35) knocked over half of the Aussies top six in the 3rd T20I, while Axar Patel (2/20) and Shivam Dube (2/20) played a key role in the deciding win over Australia by ripping through their top order.

South Africa Form

South Africa slipped to three T20I defeats in four matches after losing back-to-back matches against Pakistan to surrender the series 2-1.

David Miller is a phenomenal hitter, especially in T20 cricket. He hasn’t played since August, when he scored 38, 37*, 30 and 28 in The Hundred. His last T20I was a year ago almost to the day, when he scored 82 against Pakistan. His last ODI was in March, when he scored 100* against New Zealand.

Dewald Brevis has also been in good whiteball form, scoring 25, 21, 37, 54 and 29 in his last five international innings, while Reeza Hendricks has scored 61, 23, 68* and 58 in his last five domestic T20s.

Corbin Bosch took 4/14, 1/17 and 2/24 in the Proteas’ last T20I series against Pakistan, while Lungi Ngidi has taken 2/46, 2/38 and 1/51 in his last five whiteball matches.

India vs South Africa Team News & Squads

Good news for the hosts is that Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya should be available to the selectors for the 1st T20I against South Africa.

"Both players are looking healthy and fit. What you saw in the Asia Cup also, when Hardik was bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI," said India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav.

“I feel like I can add a certain part to the team and bring my experience and expertise to the team. I would love to be part of the South African team for as long as possible,” said David Miller ahead of the match. Miller enjoyed a break from cricket to recover from an injury but is mentally and physically raring to go. “I’m feeling strong, I’m feeling fit and raring to go.”

Verdict

India v South Africa

I am backing India to win. I am also backing Abhishek Sharma to top score for India.

Quinton de Kock is a good bet to top score for South Africa.

Abhishek Sharma

Best India Batter

@3,75 - 2 Units

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Quinton de Kock

Best South Africa Batter

@4,33 - 1 Unit

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David Miller

To Score Over 34.5

@1,83 - 1 Unit

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