India suffered a late setback ahead of the business end of the series. Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against South Africa due to illness. He had already missed the third T20I in Dharamsala.
The BCCI confirmed Axar remains with the squad in Lucknow. He will undergo further medical assessment before the fourth T20I. With the series still alive, team management opted for a like-for-like replacement.
Shahbaz Ahmed has been added to the squad. This marks Shahbaz’s return to the national setup after a long gap. His last appearance in India came during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Axar’s absence leaves India without a key spin-bowling allrounder. His recent form had been mixed, but his role remained tactically important.
Axar’s Series So Far: Impact Without Consistency
Axar Patel’s returns in the series reflected mixed fortunes. In the opening T20I at Cuttack, he made a solid contribution. He scored 23 runs and delivered an outstanding spell of 2 for 7.
In New Chandigarh, his impact dropped slightly. He conceded 27 runs from three overs and managed only 21 runs while batting at No. 3. That promotion raised eyebrows, especially against South Africa’s pace-heavy attack.
Axar was absent again in Dharamsala due to illness. India, however, adjusted quickly. Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana stepped in effectively.
Despite his absence, India managed to maintain balance. That speaks to growing squad depth.
Shahbaz Ahmed Returns to the Indian Squad
Shahbaz Ahmed’s recall offers India a familiar left-arm spin option. He has played three ODIs and two T20Is so far. His most recent international outing was the Asian Games final in 2023.
His domestic form this season has been modest. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shahbaz scored 60 runs across five matches. His strike rate stood at 133.33. With the ball, he picked up four wickets at an economy of 8.25.
While not in peak form, Shahbaz offers control and batting depth. His experience in Indian conditions may help India manage middle overs in the final two matches.
India Dominates Dharamsala to Take 2-1 Series Lead
India reclaimed the series lead with a commanding win in Dharamsala. On a seam-friendly pitch, South Africa were bowled out for just 117.
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana exploited early movement perfectly. Playing without Jasprit Bumrah, India’s seam attack showed discipline and clarity.
South Africa never recovered from the early collapse. India chased the target comfortably, despite minor stutters.
The win underlined India’s adaptability across conditions.
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana Set the Tone
Arshdeep Singh produced a dramatic turnaround from the previous game. After conceding heavily earlier in the series, he delivered a masterclass in swing bowling.
His opening dismantled Reeza Hendricks. Consistent length and movement did the damage. Harshit Rana complemented him well.
Rana removed Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis in quick succession. South Africa slumped to 7 for 3 inside four overs. That burst defined the match.
Varun Chakravarthy Shuts the Door Completely
While the seamers set things up, Varun Chakravarthy ensured South Africa never recovered. His spell of 2 for 11 in four overs choked the middle phase.
Varun dismissed Donovan Ferreira and Marco Jansen with his trademark wrong ’uns. South Africa struggled to read him.
Only Aiden Markram offered resistance. His 61 held the innings together briefly, but support never arrived. India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
Abhishek Sharma’s Blitz Makes the Chase Simple
Abhishek Sharma ensured there was no drama in the chase. He attacked from the first ball. Pull shots and fearless footwork set the tone immediately.
His 35 off 18 balls neutralised South Africa’s seam threat. India raced to fifty inside the power play.
Once Abhishek departed, India slowed down. However, the low target meant pressure stayed minimal. The chase was completed with seven wickets in hand. India now lead the five-match series 2-1. The fourth T20I will be played in Lucknow. The final match moves to Ahmedabad.
Axar’s availability remains uncertain. Shahbaz Ahmed is likely to feature in at least one game. With momentum firmly on their side, India hold the advantage. South Africa need a quick reset to stay alive in the series.
Arshdeep Singh’s Bounce-Back Blueprint, With Harshit Rana Stepping Up
Arshdeep Singh has made a habit of responding when doubts grow loud. The third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala became another reminder of that resilience. After a bruising outing in New Chandigarh, where execution deserted him completely, Arshdeep returned with clarity, control, and conviction. This time, he was not alone. Harshit Rana, trusted with the new ball in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, proved to be an ideal partner. Together, the two fast bowlers dismantled South Africa’s top order and shaped a decisive Indian win.
A Familiar Story: Pressure, Then Response
Setbacks have followed Arshdeep before. In the 2022 Asia Cup, a dropped catch against Pakistan invited a storm of criticism. He answered that within the same game by bowling a composed final over. A month later, at the T20 World Cup, he removed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in successive overs.
That pattern repeated in Dharamsala. Just days earlier, on his home turf in New Chandigarh, Arshdeep endured one of his toughest nights. He conceded 54 runs, bowled seven wides in a single over, and looked short of rhythm. In Dharamsala, he looked like a bowler in complete control of his craft.
