India vs South Africa Match Prediction: Who will win today's IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I match?

The final international match of 2025 beckons for both India and South Africa as they lock horns in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The series is currently 2-1 in favor of the hosts, following the fourth T20I in Lucknow being abandoned due to heavy fog.

The two teams have played an enterprising brand of cricket throughout the series. The squad selection for the T20 World Cup is due, meaning that the final encounter of the rubber holds immense consequence for players from both sides. Moreover, the trophy is still up for grabs, although the Proteas cannot win it outright.

India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Shahbaz Ahmed, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya.

South Africa's T20I squad for the India series: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Lutho Sipamla, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.

IND vs SA 2025: Suryakumar Yadav and Co. aim to secure series win ahead of T20 World Cup squad announcement

South Africa v India - 3rd T20I - Source: Getty

What will India's team combination look like in Ahmedabad? Jasprit Bumrah is expected to return to the fold, having rejoined the squad. Axar Patel will miss out, but Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy's presence should ensure that his absence isn't felt too much in the bowling department.

The Men in Blue have plenty of questions to answer in the batting unit, though. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav are in poor form, while Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube have obvious limitations against both styles of bowling. India have found it hard to deliver when Abhishek Sharma doesn't.

However, it's arguable that South Africa are perhaps even further down that road. With several uncertainties in their ideal combination and batting order, the visitors need to seriously ponder a few key facets. Head coach Shukri Conrad has rotated players for fun in 2025, and a bit of stability would go a long way.

Given that situation in the South African camp, India are probably well placed to seal the series even though they will be well and truly tested. On the whole, Suryakumar and Co. have been a bilateral juggernaut, particularly in the shortest format.

Prediction: India to win the 5th T20I vs South Africa.

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Edited by Sai Krishna