India vs South Africa - 3rd T20I match preview: Team India will be up against the Proteas for the third and final T20I on Tuesday, October 4 from 7 PM IST onwards at Indore.

India has already clinched the T20I series with back-to-back wins against the Proteas. Rohit and his men will now be looking to record a whitewash here at Holkar Stadium.

Also Read: India's T20 World Cup Jersey Over The Years

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India vs South Africa: 3rd T20I Preview

Match Details:-

Match: India vs South Africa - 3rd T20I
Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore.
Date & Time: October 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM (IST)
Where to Watch Live: Star Sports Network and JIO TV.

Pitch Report: India vs South Africa: 3rd T20I

The Holkar Stadium pitch is a true pitch that offers consistent bounce and carries which will keep the batsmen confident in playing their shots. The stadium has very short boundaries and this could add to the woes of bowlers here. Some of the high-scoring matches like India scoring 260 with the help of Rohit Sharma's 118 came at this ground in the past.

Read Also: Most T20I wins in a calendar year

Head to Head Stats: (T20I)

Matches Played: 23
Won by India: 13
Won by South Africa: 09
No Result: 01

Team News:

India:

India outperformed their opponents first time in a T20I series leading 2-0 with one match left to play. Bowlers performed in the first T20I while batters destroyed the Proteas bowling lineup in the second one. KL Rahul and Suryakumar smashed two half-centuries in two games while KL won the Man of the Match award in the second.

The good news from the side is skipper Rohit and Virat both have scored some runs. However, Bumrah is officially ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, with previously ruled out of the SA T20I series. Will India be able to record a historic clean sweep here at Holkar?

South Africa:

Meanwhile, for the visitors, it's their first T20I series loss against India. Previously, they have drawn with India when they visited the country earlier this year in June. Skipper Temba Bavuma and his men will be looking to change gears and end with a win and go with confidence for the T20 World Cup. In the first T20I, SA faced a huge batting collapse while bowlers failed in the second.

The only positive thing from the side is De Kock and Miller, De Kock scored a half-century in the second while the latter scored a century in the last game. However, except Maharaj, each and every bowler was thrashed by Indian batters. Now, the Proteas side will be looking to make some important changes in the squad for the final T20I. Will Bavuma and his men will be able to overcome their losing streak to end with a good win here at Indore?

India vs South Africa: 3rd T20I: Possible Playing XI

India:

Rohit Sharma (C)
KL Rahul
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Dinesh Karthik
Axar Patel
Ravi Ashwin
Harshal Patel
Deepak Chahar
Arshdeep Singh

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (wk)
Temba Bavuma (C)
Rilee Rossow
Aiden Markram
David Miller
Tristian Stubbs
Wayne Parnell
Keshav Maharaj
Kagiso Rabada
Anrich Nortje
Tabraiz Shamsi

Read Also: Rohit Sharma as full-time captain till now

3rd T20I: Fantasy Cricket Dream11 Team: India vs South Africa:

You must change your team if these players aren't announced in the starting lineup.

The picture of who will win the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 has become completely clear, but the place of Suryakumar Yadav, who came second, is still in danger. Virat Kohli is still in the race for the IPL 2025 Orange Cap, but he will hardly be able to leave Sai Sudharsan behind, but he has a chance to leave Surya behind.

Also Read: IPL Finals and finalists since 2008

On the other hand, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, who played an unbeaten 87-run innings against Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier match, has entered the club of batsmen who have scored 600 runs this season. He is the sixth batsman to score 600 runs in this season and also has the highest run scorer for Punjab.

Kohli can leave Surya behind

The IPL 2025 Orange Cap will remain in the name of Sai Sudarshan and it will be difficult for Virat Kohli to leave him behind. Sai has 759 runs in 15 matches and Virat Kohli has scored 614 runs in 14 matches. Kohli has only one match left in the form of the final. If Kohli scores 104 runs in this match, he can overtake Suryakumar and come to the second position. SKY has scored 717 runs in 16 matches.

There is a possibility that Kohli will score 104 runs in the final, but as far as leaving Sai behind is concerned, for this Kohli will have to play an innings of 146 runs against Punjab Kings, which does not look easy and its possibility also seems less. So, Sai's position seems safe, but Kohli may leave Suryakumar behind.

Also Read: Most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs

IPL 2025 Orange Cap Winners List

In a crucial stage like IPL playoffs, captains are expected to not only lead their team but also deliver crucial performances. The ability to score big when the team need you the most sets certain leaders apart.

We bring you the most 50+ scoresas a captain in IPL playoffs. See how Shreyas Iyer is leading this elite group with being the exceptional captain that he is.

1. Shreyas Iyer (3 times) | DC, KKR, PBKS

Shreyas Iyer has swiftly risen as a captain who performs under pressure in IPL playoffs. He holds an exceptional record of being the only captain to lead 3 different franchises to the final (Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and Punjab Kings in 2025).

He has also delivered 50+ scores thrice for his team in IPL playoffs. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 65* vs MI (Final, IPL 2020): An unbeaten 65* off 50 balls in the vital match while captaining DC, which came off when the team's top-order collapsed early. Despite their defeat in that match, Iyer's knock helped them reach a hopeful total.
• 58* vs SRH (Qualifier 1, IPL 2024): A captain's knock of 58* runs (from 24 balls) that set the tone for KKR's successful victory in the Q1 and led them into the finals.
• 87* vs MI (Qualifier 2, IPL 2025): From handling Bumrah's brilliant yorkers and turning them into boundaries, to keeping the asking rate down with towering sixes, this man has done it all in this match under pressure! Iyer's 87* off 41 balls (featuring five 4s and eight 6s) took PBKS to the final after 11 long years.

Read Also: 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history

A 1⃣1⃣ year wait ends... 🥹#PBKS are in the #TATAIPL 2025 Final and who better than Captain Shreyas Iyer to take them through ❤

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/vILymKxqXp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025

2. Rohit Sharma (2 times) | MI

The five-time IPL winning captain, Rohit Sharma, holds a place with his 2 times delivering 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs, playing for Mumbai Indians.

He scored both of them in Finals, contributing to MI's title-winning years. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 50 vs CSK (Final, IPL 2015): Helped MI set a strong total with his 50 runs off just 26 balls, showcasing his leadership in the team's title-winning efforts for the 2nd time in IPL.
• 68 vs DC (Final, IPL 2020): Played a captain's knock of 68 runs (from 51 balls) to control the chase and secure their 5th IPL title.

3. MS Dhoni (2 times) | CSK

One of the most successful captains in IPL history, MS Dhoni has played a significant role with the bat along with wicket-keeping and strategising overall. He scored 50+ knocks 2 times as a captain in IPL playoffs for Chennai Super Kings.

He scored both of them against MI, in different IPL seasons. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 51* vs MI (Eliminator, IPL 2012): Dhoni's explosive knock of 51* runs from just 20 balls helped CSK post a competitive total which eventually converted to a victory.
• 63* vs MI (Final, IPL 2013): In a hard-fought final against MI, his unbeaten 63 off 45 balls kept the hopes alive for CSK, but fell short of 23 runs in the end.

Read Also: Most P.O.T.M Awards in IPL

4. David Warner (2 times) | SRH

David Warner was a dominant force at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad and an equally good captain. He delivered many impactful performances throughout, along with 50+ scores 2 times in playoffs.

He scored both of them in IPL 2016, the season when SRH became champions. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 93* vs GL (Qualifier 2, IPL 2016): A sensational match-winning knock of 93* runs off 58 balls when the team needed it the most. He single-handedly chased down and took the match out of a poor situation, securing the win.
• 69 vs RCB (Final, IPL 2016): A classy knock in the final of the same season, where his explosive 69 runs (off 38 balls) helped SRH set 208 runs on board. They successfully defended and lifted their maiden IPL title by winning that match.

While team victories are the ultimate goal in IPL, the 'Player of the Match' (P.O.T.M) award is the direct recognition of a player's game-changing performance.

Winning P.O.T.M a couple of times shows how a player has outshined the rest and truly dominated the game. We will now explore the players with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

Keep an eye out, as Rohit Sharma is remarkably close to reaching the top.

1. AB de Villiers (25 P.O.T.M Awards)

The "Mr. 360" of cricket, AB de Villiers, holds the most P.O.T.M awards in IPL history with 25 awards throughout his career with DC and primarily Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Whether it was fast paced fifties or scorching hundreds, his impact was undeniable. His IPL career spanned from 2008-2021, and yet no one could match his numbers in terms of Player of the match awards.

Read Also: Most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history

2. Chris Gayle (22 P.O.T.M Awards)

Whether it's the list of most sixes in IPL or highest individual scores, this West Indies legend always finds his spot in the top for all of them. Chris Gayle has the second-most P.O.T.M awards in IPL with 22 awards in total.

He played for franchises like KKR, PBKS, and RCB, and won multiple awards at his prime years like 2011 (smashed 2 centuries), 2012 (claimed the Orange Cap) and of course, 2013, where he scored the monumental 175* against PWI.

3. Rohit Sharma (21 P.O.T.M Awards)

Rohit Sharma is the Indian player with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL and the third-highest in this list. He received 21 awards and is just an award away to equal Gayle's number. 

Sharma received 2 P.O.T.M awards in IPL 2025; one for his 75* (45 balls) against CSK in league stage, and the other for his 81 runs off 50 balls against GT in IPL Eliminator.

As Mumbai Indians are set to play the Qualifier 2 this season, there's high chances of Rohit bagging another one (or maybe 2).

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

4. Virat Kohli (19 P.O.T.M Awards)

One of the most consistent run-scorer and match-winner for RCB, Virat Kohli stands fourth with an impressive 19 P.O.T.M awards in IPL. He is like the heart of the team and doesn't need awards to measure his greatness.

Kohli has won a P.O.T.M award in IPL 2025 for his unbeaten 73 runs against Punjab Kings. He has scored 8 half-centuries so far this season and there might be another loading as RCB is set to play the Final.

Kohli received multiple P.O.T.M awards during the 2016 season where he scored the record-breaking 973 runs.

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs

5. David Warner (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The Australian legend, David Warner, had an incredible journey in IPL. He was the key player of every franchise that he represented, such as Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won 18 P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

He has also been a three-times orange cap winner (2015, 2017, 2019), which tells a lot about his career peak in IPL and the shower of P.O.T.M awards in those years.

6. MS Dhoni (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The five-time IPL winning captain, MS Dhoni, equals the number of P.O.T.M awards as Warner with 18 awards in IPL. His unparallel impact, captaincy, and match finishing abilities has earned him this high count of awards.

In IPL 2025, Dhoni won the P.O.T.M award by delivering a match-winning knock of 26* runs off just 11 balls against LSG, which also made him the oldest player to win a P.O.T.M award in IPL history, at the age of 43 years and 280 days.

The IPL is like a festival of sports for India as we call it. It is also the festival of explosive and jaw-dropping sixes. The list for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history is led by one and only, Chris Gayle. It is not surprising one bit, is it? 

Dive into the list of several batters that are so close to match Gayle's six-hitting numbers, where some names will surely surprise you.

1. Chris Gayle (357 sixes)

When it comes to hitting sixes in IPL, there is Chris Gayle, and then there's everyone else. This West Indies legend tops the chart for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history with 357 sixes (in just 141 innings)!

Gayle's IPL journey spanned from 2009 to 2021, and he was the first batsman to cross the 300-mark in terms of sixes. He displayed his batting peak with franchises like KKR, PBKS, and especially RCB.

His most memorable six-hitting moment of IPL came in 2013 when he smashed 175* runs off 66 balls against PWI, hitting 17 explosive sixes.

Read Also: 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history

2. Rohit Sharma (302 sixes)

Known for his aggressive start and batting, Rohit Sharma, is the only batter who has hit 300+ sixes after Gayle in IPL history. He holds the second place, with 302 sixes (in 265 innings).

The hitman doesn't like to take things slow, and always delivers the ball out of the boundary with his powerful pulls and cover drives. Once he gets in his six-hitting zone, it truly gets difficult to stop him!

Sharma has consistently stood up for the team, and these numbers are about to get high as he will continue to play and dominate in IPL in the future.

3. Virat Kohli (291 sixes)

When has it occurred that there's a list of excellent batting records where this man doesn't hold a spot? 

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, holds the 3rd position with 291 sixes (in 258 innings). Even though he is widely known for his exquisite cover drives and hitting smooth boundaries, his ability to time the ball perfectly out for a six has been phenomenal throughout his IPL career.

Kohli is just 9 sixes away to cross the 300-mark, that he might cross in IPL 2025 itself!

Read Also: IPL records - Batters with most 500+ runs seasons: Kohli breaks Warner's records

4. MS Dhoni (264 sixes)

MS Dhoni, like the greatest finisher he is, has hit an impressive 264 sixes (in 242 innings) in his IPL career so far. He has been brutal in the death overs and has always made sure his team takes the victory home when he his unbeaten at the crease.

Dhoni's six-hitting skills often changes the momentum of the game and puts the opposition under immense pressure, as he becomes unstoppable!

5. AB de Villiers (251 sixes)

The South African legend, AB de Villiers, holds several batting records and had delivered many cherishable moments for RCB throughout his IPL journey (2008-2021), and this is one of them. He is the 5th batter to have 250+ sixes in IPL history.

He hit 251 sixes (in 170 innings) which tells a lot about his phenomenal skills and love for hitting sixes. He had the ability to deliver the ball in every corner of the stadium and was called "Mr. 360" for a reason!

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

Other batters with 200+ sixes in IPL history

India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.

England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground. 

India A lost captain Abhimanyu Easwaran early on 8 while Yashasvi Jaiswal went back to the dressing room after adding 24. 

When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play. 

Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls. 

Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.

Sarfaraz Khan gets dismissed 8 short of a well-deserved hundred.

Sarfaraz was looking good but was eventually caught down the leg side on 92.

Karun Nair is batting on 97!

India A 233/3 in the first inning!#ENGAvINDA #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/pY7pCRmwZP

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) May 30, 2025

Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.

Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.

At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3.