The 2nd T20 International between India and South Africa is shaping up to be another exciting clash on 11 December 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).
After India’s dominant win in the opening game, both teams will be eager to build momentum in this five-match series.
Below is a detailed match preview of India vs South Africa covering predictions, probable Playing XI, head-to-head history, pitch report, and fantasy cricket insights to help fans and fantasy players make informed decisions.
Dream11 Match Prediction – Who will win today match?
India heads into this 2nd T20 as the strong favorites. The hosts delivered a comprehensive performance in the first encounter, winning by a massive margin, which gives them confidence and rhythm early in the series. India’s blend of experienced match-winners and dynamic young talents has been the difference, especially in crunch moments with both bat and ball.
South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back. While they have quality players who can turn games around on their day, they haven’t quite clicked as a unit yet in this series. The Proteas need key contributions from their top batters and bowlers to challenge India effectively.
Prediction: India are likely to secure victory and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, although South Africa can’t be ruled out if they find early momentum.
India vs South Africa Probable Playing XI
India Playing XI
India is expected to stick with a winning combination that balanced aggression and control in the first T20:
- Abhishek Sharma (Opener)
- Shubman Gill (Opener)
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
This lineup blends explosive top-order batting with deep hitting power, plus a bowling attack capable of adapting to different phases of the game.
South Africa Playing XI
A balanced South African XI will look to counter India’s strength with a mix of experience and fresh talent:
- Quinton de Kock (WK)
- Aiden Markram (Captain)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Dewald Brevis
- David Miller
- Donovan Ferreira
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch / George Linde
- Keshav Maharaj
- Lungi Ngidi
- Anrich Nortje
Here, the balance revolves around experienced middle-order batters and a bowling unit that can extract early movement and finish strong.
Head-to-Head T20 Records: India vs South Africa
Understanding how these teams have fared historically adds depth to our prediction:
- Total T20Is Played: 32
- India Wins: 19
- South Africa Wins: 12
- Tied/No Result: 1
- Last 5 T20Is: India 4 – South Africa 1
India holds the overall advantage in head-to-head encounters, and recent form has further tilted the balance in their favor. The dominant win in the first match reinforces India’s psychological edge, but South Africa has shown in patches that they can challenge good teams with aggressive batting and disciplined bowling.
Pitch Report & Conditions
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur is hosting its first men’s T20 Internationals, but limited data from IPL matches gives us valuable clues:
Pitch Characteristics
- Balanced surface: Offers something for both batsmen and bowlers.
- Early help for seamers: Pacers can find movement early on.
- Good bounce: Rewards batters who time the ball well.
- First innings score: 160–180 range is competitive. (allcric.com)
Weather & Toss Factor
There’s a possibility of evening dew, which often makes bowling harder in the second innings. Teams chasing might enjoy an advantage as the ball skids under lights. Captains winning the toss could choose to bowl first to exploit early conditions and chase under dew.
Key Insight: A balanced pitch with short boundaries encourages aggressive batting, but disciplined bowling at the death remains crucial.
Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Strategy
For fantasy cricket players, picking performers with high impact potential and consistency is key. Here’s a breakdown of choices with high selection value:
Top Picks for Captaincy
- Hardik Pandya (IND): A genuine x-factor player with batting and bowling points upside.
- Quinton de Kock (SA): Reliable opener who can anchor the innings and score big.
- Aiden Markram (SA): Quality middle-order batter with leadership responsibility.
Consistent Fantasy Performers
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND): Death overs specialist with wicket-taking ability.
- Arshdeep Singh (IND): Early wickets can earn major fantasy points.
- Tilak Varma (IND): Lower-order hitting can swing big in short bursts.
Value & Differential Picks
- Axar Patel (IND): Economy and overs make him valuable in mid-innings.
- Marco Jansen (SA): All-round potential gives extra fantasy points.
Captaincy Tip: Choose players who contribute in multiple departments or bat in key phases like powerplay or death overs for maximum fantasy returns.
The India vs South Africa 2nd T20 promises high-tempo cricket. With India perched on a strong platform after a commanding first-match victory, they are well-placed to go 2-0 up in this series.
However, South Africa’s blend of experience and emerging talent means they can’t be underestimated. A good performance from their batters and disciplined bowling will keep them competitive.
For fans and fantasy players, understanding pitch behavior, recent form, and head-to-head trends will be crucial in crafting predictions and lineups that deliver. Stay tuned for official playing XIs after the toss and enjoy what promises to be an entertaining T20 showdown.
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