The IND Vs SA 4th T20I promises another intense chapter in the ongoing series as India and South Africa lock horns on December 17, 2025, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground, Lucknow. Scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, the contest brings individual battles, selection questions, and tactical decisions into sharp focus.
With conditions different from Dharamsala and key players under scrutiny, both teams enter the clash with clear objectives.
IND Vs SA: Arshdeep Singh vs Reeza Hendricks in the Spotlight
One of the most talked-about subplots of the IND Vs SA encounter is the contest between Arshdeep Singh and Reeza Hendricks.
Reeza Hendricks is enduring a difficult series. Among batters who have opened in 80 or more T20Is, only Uganda’s Simon Ssesazi has a lower strike rate. In the current series, Hendricks has managed a three-ball duck and 8 runs off 10 balls, reflecting his struggles at the top.
His overall numbers against India further underline the challenge. In 15 T20I innings against India, Hendricks has reached a half-century just once and strikes at 118.8. The pressure will be even greater against Arshdeep Singh, who troubled him significantly in the previous T20I.
Arshdeep, India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is and in powerplays, will once again look for early breakthroughs. His ability to strike upfront could dictate South Africa’s momentum. If India can remove Hendricks early, the visitors may find themselves under immediate pressure.
However, South Africa showed in New Chandigarh that neutralising this threat can keep them competitive, making this matchup crucial in the IND Vs SA 4th T20I.
IND Vs SA Team News: Will Jasprit Bumrah Return?
Selection remains a major talking point ahead of the IND Vs SA contest.
Jasprit Bumrah missed the previous game due to personal reasons. On Tuesday, Shivam Dube confirmed that Bumrah is “available,” though he stopped short of guaranteeing his inclusion. A late call is expected, and India may choose continuity unless Bumrah makes a confirmed return.
India have already been forced into one change, with Axar Patel ruled out for the remainder of the series due to illness. As things stand, India are likely to stick with the combination that played the last match, barring Bumrah’s comeback.
IND Vs SA Probable Playing XI
India – 1. Abhishek Sharma 2. Shubman Gill 3. Suryakumar Yadav (capt.) 4. Tilak Varma 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk) 6. Hardik Pandya 7. Shivam Dube 8. Harshit Rana 9. Arshdeep Singh 10. Kuldeep Yadav 11. Varun Chakravarthy
South Africa – 1. Quinton de Kock (wk) 2. Reeza Hendricks 3. Aiden Markram (capt.) 4. Dewald Brevis 5. David Miller 6. Donovan Ferreira 7. Marco Jansen 8. Corbin Bosch 9. George Linde / Keshav Maharaj / Anrich Nortje 10. Lungi Ngidi 11. Ottneil Baartman
South Africa’s selections have been unpredictable throughout the white-ball leg, and Lucknow is unlikely to be any different. Their final XI could depend on pitch reading and match-day conditions.
IND Vs SA Pitch Report: Ekana Stadium Winter Challenge
The conditions in Lucknow will contrast sharply with Dharamsala.
While temperatures will still be cold, Lucknow will not be as chilly, with readings expected to remain in the 10s. These winter conditions make it difficult to prepare a spin-heavy surface.
Historically, during the IPL summer season, Ekana Stadium has been a venue where defending totals is possible. In night matches, teams batting first have a respectable 8–11 win-loss record.
However, winter changes the equation. Heavy dew is expected, which could make chasing the preferred option. Captains may lean towards bowling first to avoid handling a slippery ball later in the night.
IND Vs SA 4th T20I: What to Watch Out For
- Arshdeep Singh’s powerplay impact
- Reeza Hendricks’ response under pressure
- Jasprit Bumrah’s possible return
- Dew factor influencing the toss decision
As the series progresses, momentum and execution become increasingly important. With individual battles shaping the narrative, the IND Vs SA 4th T20I is set up as a tightly contested evening in Lucknow.