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India vs South Africa 5th T20I Series Decider: India and South Africa are set to clash in the fifth and final T20I of the series at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. This match carries huge significance as it will decide the winner of the closely contested five-match series. Fans were left disappointed after the fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned without a toss due to heavy fog, making this final encounter even more crucial for both sides.

Series Situation and Team Momentum

India currently hold a 2-1 advantage in the series and will aim to seal the contest with a commanding performance in front of their home crowd. A victory would further strengthen India’s dominance in bilateral T20I series, while South Africa will be desperate to level the series and return home with confidence. The Proteas have already tasted success on this tour by winning the Test series 2-0, although India bounced back by clinching the ODI series 2-1. This final T20I offers both teams a chance to end the tour on a positive note.

India’s Consistency in T20I Series

The Indian team has been remarkably consistent in the shortest format, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 T20I series. This reflects their strong bench strength and adaptability across conditions. Captain Suryakumar Yadav will be keen to continue this impressive run and also contribute with the bat, as personal form remains important heading into future global tournaments. With the T20 World Cup 2026 in mind, India will see this match as another step in fine-tuning their combinations.

Match Schedule and Venue Details

The fifth T20I between India and South Africa will be played on Friday, December 19, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. Known for its world-class facilities and large seating capacity, the stadium has often produced high-scoring games as well as memorable bowling performances, making it an exciting venue for a series decider.

India’s T20I Record at Ahmedabad

India have enjoyed considerable success at the Narendra Modi Stadium in T20I cricket. The team has played seven matches at this venue, winning five and losing only two. Their most recent T20I appearance here came in 2023, when they registered a massive 168-run victory over New Zealand. Such performances underline India’s comfort level at this ground and could play a psychological role going into the final match.

Batting Records at the Venue

Several top international batters have left their mark at this stadium. Virat Kohli leads the chart for most T20I runs in Ahmedabad with 258 runs in six matches. England’s Jos Buttler follows with 172 runs in five matches, while Dawid Malan has scored 148 runs in the same number of games. These figures highlight the venue’s suitability for batters who can pace their innings well.

Leading Wicket-Takers in Ahmedabad

On the bowling front, Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been the most successful T20I bowler at this venue, picking up eight wickets in five matches. Hardik Pandya has claimed seven wickets in six games, while England fast bowler Jofra Archer also has seven wickets in five matches. These statistics suggest that both pace and variations are key to success on this pitch.

Highest Individual Scores at the Ground

The Narendra Modi Stadium has witnessed some outstanding individual batting performances. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 126 off 63 balls against New Zealand in 2023 remains the highest individual T20I score at the venue. Jos Buttler’s 83 not out against India in 2021 and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 80 against England in the same year are also among the most memorable innings played here.

Squad Overview and Key Players

India’s squad for the final T20I includes a balanced mix of youth and experience, with players like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah forming the core. Young talents such as Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma add freshness and energy to the lineup. South Africa, on the other hand, boast a powerful squad featuring Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Anrich Nortje, along with exciting youngsters like Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs.

With both teams evenly matched and plenty at stake, the fifth T20I promises to be a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire.