India’s fast bowlers dominate, dismissing South Africa for 117; hosts gain 2-1 lead in T20I series.

Aiden Markram mounted a brief resistance to prevent South Africa from facing yet another humiliating batting record. However, this effort did little to hinder India from clinching a commanding seven-wicket victory in the third T20I on Sunday.

Asked to bat first, South Africa faltered to 7 for 3 before rallying to 117 all out in their allotted 20 overs. India easily chased down the modest target, scoring 120 for 3 in 15.5 overs under the floodlights in Dharamsala, thereby taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The visitors were at risk of falling below their series-opening total of 74 — the lowest score in T20 cricket history — until captain Markram steadied the innings. He hit two sixes and six fours in a 46-ball innings before edging Arshdeep Singh to the wicketkeeper. Arshdeep concluded his spell with impressive figures of 2 for 13 from four overs.

5⃣0⃣th T20I wicket ????

Varun Chakaravarthy becomes the 2⃣nd fastest #TeamIndia cricketer (in Men’s cricket) to achieve the feat ????

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/AJZYgMAHc0#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/GDylpu3tEz

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2025

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the match due to personal reasons, Harshit Rana delivered with 2 for 34, while Kuldeep Yadav was outstanding, taking 2 for 12 in just two overs, including the final wicket of Ottneil Baartman to conclude South Africa’s innings.

India made light work of the chase. Openers Abhishek Sharma (35 runs off 18 balls) and Shubman Gill led the hosts to 43-0 after 3.1 overs, a stark contrast to South Africa’s 7-3 at the same point.

Sharma and Gill put together an opening partnership of 60, which ended when Markram took a catch to dismiss Sharma off Corbin Bosch’s bowling. Gill was bowled by Marco Jansen for a run-a-ball 28. South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi (1-23) dismissed India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was caught by Baartman for 12.

Shivam Dube and Varun Chakaravarthy join the wicket-taking party! ????#TeamIndia putting up a fine show in Dharamshala! ????

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/AJZYgMAHc0#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/k5re5wjF1K

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2025

Tilak Varma (26 not out) and Shivam Dube (10 not out) led India to victory in this thrilling series. South Africa had claimed the second T20 by 51 runs after losing the first match by 101 runs.

The fourth T20 is scheduled for Wednesday in Lucknow. This series serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup in India in February. India is the defending champion after their victory against South Africa in a nail-biting final in 2024. They also won the ODI series against South Africa 2-1 after dropping the test series 2-0.

(With AP inputs)