The stage is set for a thrilling finale as India and South Africa lock horns in the fifth and final T20 International in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19, 2025. With India leading the series 2-1, the Men in Blue have a golden opportunity to secure a series victory on home soil. The Proteas, meanwhile, can only hope to level the contest after the fourth match in Lucknow was abandoned due to excessive fog.
Shubman Gill's Fitness Under Scanner
All attention is firmly on opener Shubman Gill, whose place and form have been topics of intense discussion. Rumours of a toe injury swirled before the abandoned fourth T20I, casting doubt on his availability. However, the vice-captain was seen with the squad upon arrival in Ahmedabad, showing no visible signs of discomfort.
This match holds significant importance for Gill, not just for the series but for his T20I career. Ahmedabad has been a happy hunting ground for him across formats, and a substantial knock here could silence critics questioning his spot at the top of the order amidst a lean patch.
Series Context and Predicted Line-ups
India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, were on the cusp of sealing a 14th consecutive series win in Lucknow. The washout delayed the celebration, making the Ahmedabad clash a must-win to achieve that feat. South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, saw their chances of a series win evaporate with the abandonment and will now fight for a respectable 2-2 draw.
India's predicted playing XI is expected to feature: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Captain's Form: A Key Subplot
Another major focus will be on skipper Suryakumar Yadav. While his tactical acumen has led India to an impressive win rate of over 80% under his captaincy, his personal form with the bat has been a concern. With the T20 World Cup looming early next year, the team management will be eager to see their captain return to his destructive best, making his performance a critical subplot of the decider.
The full squads for the encounter are as follows:
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi, Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka.
The final T20I promises high stakes, individual battles, and a fitting end to what has been a closely fought series. All eyes will be on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to crown the winner.
