SA vs IND Playing 11, 4th T20I: As South Africa and India prepare for their final face-off in the 4th T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, the series hangs in the balance, with India leading 2-1.
After an intense contest in the third T20I, where India emerged victorious by just 11 runs, the stage is set for a thrilling decider. India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, are aiming to close out the series with a dominant 3-1 victory, bolstered by stellar performances from young stars like Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma.

South Africa, however, are determined to level the series and prevent a home defeat, relying on key players like Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen to rise to the occasion. Fans can anticipate a nail-biting finale with both teams eager to leave it all on the field.
The pitch at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, promises excitement for the batters, with its reputation for high scores due to the consistent bounce and true nature of the wicket. Fast bowlers may get some initial movement in the early overs, while spinners might find grip later in the game. The average first-innings score here is typically around 170-180, with a score above 200 likely being competitive. The team winning the toss might consider batting first to capitalise on the batting-friendly conditions and put pressure on the chasing side.
Weather-wise, Johannesburg is expected to be clear and cool during the match, with temperatures around 15°C and minimal chances of rain. This means uninterrupted play and ideal conditions for both teams to showcase their skills in this series-deciding clash.
South Africa (SA): South Africa will look to level the series after an 11-run loss in the third T20I. Despite promising performances, their batting lineup has struggled with consistency.
Aiden Markram’s leadership has shown resilience, but top-order players like Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, and David Miller have been inconsistent. Heinrich Klaasen, though, stands as a pillar in the middle order, contributing with crucial runs.
Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee are the standout bowlers, with Jansen’s sharp pace and Coetzee’s effectiveness in the middle overs providing some stability in their attack. With a do-or-die situation, South Africa will be eager to fire on all cylinders.
India (IND): India, on the other hand, carries a 2-1 lead and the confidence from their thrilling 11-run victory in the last match. Tilak Varma's century and Abhishek Sharma’s attacking knock highlighted their powerful batting depth.
While Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, and Rinku Singh have yet to hit peak form, the rest of the lineup, including Ramandeep Singh and Sanju Samson, have shown notable resilience.
Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy have proven key in the spin department, making significant breakthroughs, while Arshdeep Singh’s sharp bowling has controlled the opposition at crucial junctures. Team India will seek to carry this momentum into the final match to seal the series.
India: Team India has a fully fit squad heading into the decider. There are no injury concerns, and all players are available for selection.
South Africa: South Africa also enters the final match with a clean bill of health. Despite some recent form issues in the squad, there are no injuries, and all players are expected to be available for selection.
South Africa: Ryan Rickleton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla
India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nkabayomzi Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla (3rd and 4th T20Is), Tristan Stubbs.
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.