The Year of the Underdog: 5 Cricketing "Firsts" That Defined 2025

In 2025, the cricketing world witnessed a "cosmic alignment" of long-awaited dreams. From a franchise finally breaking its curse to national teams shattering their "choker" tags, the year rewritten the history books.

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The Year of the Underdog: 5 Cricketing "Firsts" That Defined 2025

The year 2025 will be remembered not just for the runs and wickets, but for the shattering of glass ceilings. For decades, certain narratives dominated cricket: RCB’s "Next Year," South Africa’s "Finals Curse," and the Indian Women’s "Final Hurdle." In 2025, those narratives didn't just change—they were demolished.

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Win Their Maiden IPL

After 18 years of "Ee Sala Cup Namde" (This Year the Cup is Ours), the slogan finally became a reality.

• The Moment: RCB defeated Punjab Kings in a high-octane final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on June 3, 2025.

• The Heroics: Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar and the steady blade of Virat Kohli (657 runs), RCB defended 190.

• The Significance: This win ended the longest title drought in franchise history and solidified Kohli’s legacy as an IPL champion, proving that loyalty and patience eventually pay off.

2. South Africa Lifts the World Test Championship (WTC) Mace

For a nation often labeled as "chokers," winning the ultimate prize in the longest format was the ultimate redemption.

• The Match: South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets at Lord’s (the "Mecca of Cricket") in June 2025.

• Key Performers: Aiden Markram's historic century in the final and Kagiso Rabada’s 9-wicket match haul were the catalysts.

• Analysis: This was South Africa's first major ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy (Knockout). It proved that their transition period is over and their pace battery remains the most lethal in Test cricket.

3. Indian Women Win Their First-Ever ODI World Cup

After falling at the final hurdle in 2005 and 2017, the "Women in Blue" finally reached the summit on home soil.

• The Victory: India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Navi Mumbai.

• The Turning Point: A miraculous semi-final win against Australia, where India chased down a world-record 339, gave them the psychological edge.

• Stars of the Show: Shafali Verma’s aggressive 87 in the final and Deepti Sharma’s all-round dominance throughout the tournament. This win is expected to trigger a "1983-like" revolution for women's sports in India.

4. Smriti Mandhana: The 1,000-Run Calendar Year

While individual records happen, Mandhana’s 2025 was statistically anomalous for women’s ODI cricket.

• The Achievement: She became the first woman to cross 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year, finishing with 1,362 runs.

• Analysis: Averaging over 60 with a strike rate of 109, her consistency mirrored the peak years of Virat Kohli or Viv Richards. She also broke the record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian (50 balls), surpassing even the men’s records.

5. Joe Root Surpasses the "Wall"

In the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Joe Root achieved a feat many thought impossible in the modern era of T20 dominance.

• The Record: Root surpassed Rahul Dravid’s long-standing record of 210 catches in Test cricket.

• The Bigger Picture: Alongside his fielding, Root closed the gap on Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test run record, ending the year with over 16,000 runs. His 2025 campaign cemented him as perhaps the greatest Test technician of the 21st century.

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Conclusion: A New Era

2025 proved that in cricket, no streak is permanent. Whether it’s a franchise, a gender, or a nation, the barriers of the past were meant to be broken.

The MCG "Minefield": Is it Time to Stop the Pitch Hypocrisy in Test Cricket?

The 2025 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has ignited a fierce global debate regarding pitch standards and the perceived "double standards" between SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations and the Indian subcontinent.

The MCG "Shocker": Details of the 2025 Match

The ongoing 4th Ashes Test saw a chaotic opening day on December 26, 2025, where 20 wickets fell in less than 76 overs—the most in an Ashes Test in 75 years.

• Australia's 1st Innings: 152 all out (Josh Tongue 5/45).

• England's 1st Innings: 110 all out (Michael Neser 4/28, Scott Boland 3/20).

• The Verdict: Former England captains Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan labeled the surface "unfair for batters" and "a shocker," citing excessive sideways movement and variable bounce that made strokeplay impossible.

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The "Double Standards" Alarm

The controversy centers on the fact that when Indian pitches offer help to spinners on Day 1, they are often rated "poor" or "unfit" by the ICC and slammed by Western media as "dustbowls." However, green tracks that cause a 20-wicket collapse in Australia are frequently praised as "exciting" or "sporty."

Key Voices on the Hypocrisy:

• Kevin Pietersen (@KP24): "India ALWAYS gets hammered when wickets fall like crazy on day 1... I hope Australia gets the same scrutiny! Fair is fair!"

• Ravichandran Ashwin: Subtly called out the "double standards" by highlighting that 19 wickets in Perth earlier in the series were called "excellent cricket," whereas similar help for spinners in India (like the recent Kolkata Test vs South Africa) leads to claims of the "death of Test cricket."

• Aakash Chopra: Noted that if 20 wickets fell on a subcontinental pitch on Day 1, there would be calls to ban the venue.

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Comparison: Green Mamba vs. Dustbowl

Feature	MCG 2025 (Green Track)	Typical Indian Turning Track
Pace/Bounce	Excessive & Unpredictable	Low & Variable
Movement	Sharp Seam & Swing	Sharp Turn
Criticism	"Sporty," "Tough," "Exciting"	"Poor," "Unfit," "Doctored"
Survival	Depends on luck with "nicked" balls	Depends on technique against spin

1. The Boxing Day Carnage: Recap the 20-wicket day and the record 94,199 fans who saw a match that might not last three days.

  2. The Expert Backlash: Quote Cook, Vaughan, and Broad on why this pitch failed the "balance between bat and ball" test. 

3. The "India" Parallel: Compare the ICC demerit points given to Indore or Nagpur with the likely "Average" or "Good" rating for this MCG track.

  4. The Alarm Bell: Argue that for Test cricket to survive, "good" pitches shouldn't just mean "fast and green." If a 2-day spin match is bad for the game, a 2-day seam match is equally detrimental.

Vintage Ro-Ko: 16,000 Runs, Fastest Tons, and a Masterclass in Vijay Hazare Return

In a historic day for Indian domestic cricket, the legendary duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma marked their return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) on December 24, 2025, with explosive centuries for their respective state sides.

The performances came as part of a BCCI mandate for senior players to participate in domestic tournaments, and both legends used the platform to make a massive statement of intent ahead of the upcoming ODI season.

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• Vintage Ro-Ko: 16,000 Runs, Fastest Tons, and a Masterclass in Vijay Hazare Return

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Detailed Performance Analysis

1. Rohit Sharma (Mumbai vs. Sikkim)

Playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rohit Sharma unleashed a "Hitman" masterclass, reminding fans why he remains one of the most dangerous white-ball openers in history.

• The Knock: Rohit smashed a breathtaking 155 runs off just 94 balls.

• Fastest Century: He reached his hundred in just 62 deliveries, making it the fastest List A century of his career (surpassing his 63-ball ton against Afghanistan in 2023).

• Boundary Count: His innings was studded with 18 fours and 9 sixes.

• Key Milestone: This was his 37th List A century and his 9th score of 150+ in the format (joining David Warner for the joint-most 150s in List A history).

• Context: Chasing a target of 237, Rohit opened the batting and led Mumbai to an emphatic 8-wicket win with nearly 20 overs to spare.

2. Virat Kohli (Delhi vs. Andhra)

While Rohit provided the fireworks in Jaipur, Virat Kohli showcased his trademark "Chase Master" precision at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

• The Knock: Kohli anchored Delhi’s chase with a superb 131 runs off 101 balls.

• The Milestone: During this innings, Kohli became the fastest player in history to reach 16,000 List A runs, achieving the feat in just 330 innings (surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 391 innings).

• Consistency: This was his 58th List A century, moving him just two shy of Tendulkar’s world record of 60.

• Boundary Count: His knock featured 14 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 129.70.

• Context: Chasing 299, Kohli came in at No. 3 after an early wicket and shared a 160-run stand with Nitish Rana, helping Delhi win by 4 wickets.

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Statistical Comparison

Feature	Rohit Sharma (Mumbai)	Virat Kohli (Delhi)
Opponent	Sikkim	Andhra Pradesh
Score	155 (94)	131 (101)
Strike Rate	164.89	129.70
Boundaries (4s/6s)	18 fours / 9 sixes	14 fours / 3 sixes
Balls to 100	62 balls	83 balls
Major Milestone	Fastest List A century for Rohit	16,000 List A runs (Fastest ever)

Key Takeaways 

1. Longevity at 37: Both players proved that age is just a number. Kohli’s return after a 15-year hiatus from VHT and Rohit’s return after 7 years were perfectly executed.

2. BCCI Mandate: The success of these veterans in domestic cricket justifies the board's push for senior stars to play at the ground level, boosting the tournament's profile and young players' morale.

3. ODI World Cup Intent: With both players now focusing exclusively on the 50-over format, these innings serve as a warning to international opponents ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.

Top 10 Most Wicket Takers In 2025

Finding the leading wicket-takers of 2025 across all formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is) reveals a year where raw pace and mystery spin shared the spotlight. 2025 has been a historic year, particularly for New Zealand's Jacob Duffy, who shattered long-standing records to emerge as the leading force.

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Top 10 International Wicket Takers in 2025

Rank	Bowler	Team	Wickets	Key Highlight
1	Jacob Duffy	New Zealand	81	Broke Richard Hadlee's record for most wickets by a Kiwi in a year.
2	Blessing Muzarabani	Zimbabwe	65	Became the first bowler to hit the 30-wicket mark early in the year.
3	Matt Henry	New Zealand	65	Leading wicket-taker in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
4	Ali Dawood	Bahrain	63	A standout performer among Associate Nations.
5	Kuldeep Yadav	India	60	The highest wicket-taker for India across all formats this year.
6	Varun Chakaravarthy	India	46	Finished as the world's top-ranked T20I bowler.
7	Mohammed Siraj	India	45	Consistent across formats with a 4-wicket haul in the IPL.
8	Jasprit Bumrah	India	45	Maintained an elite average despite managed workload.
9	Deepti Sharma	India (W)	39	The leading wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs for 2025.
10	Ravindra Jadeja	India	37	Crucial contributions in both the Champions Trophy and Test matches.

Key Insights of 2025

• The Duffy Dominance: Jacob Duffy's 81 wickets came at an incredible average of 17.11, marking one of the most prolific individual years in modern cricket history.

• Spin vs. Pace: While pace dominated the top three spots, Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy proved that spin remains a lethal weapon, especially in T20Is where Chakaravarthy took a joint-record 36 wickets.

• Champions Trophy Impact: New Zealand's Matt Henry used the Champions Trophy platform to skyrocket his tally, finishing the tournament with 10 wickets, the most by any bowler in that series.

Detailed Performance Analysis

1. The Jacob Duffy Phenomenon

New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy had a career-defining 2025. By claiming 81 wickets, he surpassed the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee’s 40-year-old record (79 wickets in 1985). His success was built on versatility:

• Tests: 25 wickets in 4 matches (including a dominant series vs West Indies).

• T20Is: 35 wickets, the most ever by a Kiwi in a calendar year.

2. Mitchell Starc’s Record-Breaking Ashes

At age 35, Mitchell Starc proved he is far from finished. He became the only player to claim 51 Test wickets in 2025, doing so with a historic strike rate of 28.7. His ability to swing the ball at high speeds decimated England during the 2025 Ashes, where he took 22 wickets in just the first three Tests.

3. The Rise of "Mystery" and Associate Stars

• Varun Chakaravarthy: After a hiatus from the national side, his "mystery spin" returned with a vengeance. He ended the year with 36 T20I wickets, tying for the most globally in the format, and was instrumental in India's Champions Trophy campaign.

• Ali Dawood: A standout from Bahrain, his inclusion in the top 10 highlights the growing competitiveness of Associate cricket. His high wicket tally came from consistent performances in ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers.

4. India’s Multi-Format Dominance

India features four bowlers in the top 10 (Siraj, Chakaravarthy, Bumrah, and Kuldeep). This reflects their heavy schedule and success in reaching the final stages of major tournaments like the Champions Trophy. Siraj, in particular, stepped up as the leader of the red-ball attack with 43 Test wickets.

Beyond the Boundary: The 5 Most Explosive T20 Six Hitters of 2025"

As of late 2025, the T20 International (T20I) landscape has seen a significant shift. While veteran legends like Rohit Sharma continue to hold all-time records, the 2025 calendar year has been dominated by a new generation of power hitters.

Here are the complete details regarding the top six-hitters and nations for the year 2025.

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Top 5 Most Six-Hitters in T20Is (2025 Calendar Year)

The year 2025 has been a breakout year for aggressive openers. Indian sensation Abhishek Sharma leads the pack, particularly following his record-breaking 135 against England.

Rank	Player	Nation	Sixes in 2025	Notable Performance
1	Abhishek Sharma	India	54	Hit 13 sixes in a single innings vs England.
2	Tanzid Hasan	Bangladesh	41	Key to Bangladesh's record six-hitting year.
3	Dewald Brevis	South Africa	39	Known for his high strike rate and "Baby AB" style.
4	Sahibzada Farhan	Pakistaun	36	Became a consistent power-play threat for Pakistan.
5	Tim David	Australia	35	Maintains the best "balls per six" ratio (approx. 5.5).

Note: In the wider world of T20Is (including Associate Nations), Karanbir Singh of Austria recorded an astronomical 122 sixes in 2025, though these often come against lower-ranked bowling attacks compared to the "Full Member" nations listed above.

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Top 5 Playing Nations by T20I Sixes (2025)

Interestingly, Bangladesh surged to the top of this list in 2025, marking a major tactical shift for a team traditionally known for more conservative batting.

Rank	Nation	T20I Sixes (2025)	Key Power Hitters
1	Bangladesh	110+	Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy
2	India	98	Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma
3	Pakistan	84	Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan
4	New Zealand	78	Tim Seifert, Finn Allen
5	West Indies	76	Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell

Top 5 Memorable Movement For Indian Cricket Team In 2025

The year 2025 has been a transformative era for Indian cricket, marked by long-awaited triumphs and the closing of legendary chapters. From the historic rise of the Women in Blue to the dominance of the men’s side in white-ball cricket, 2025 provided enough drama and glory for a lifetime of blog posts.

Here are the top 5 most memorable occasions for the Indian Cricket Team in 2025.

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1. The Maiden Glory: Women’s ODI World Cup Triumph

The absolute pinnacle of 2025 was the Indian Women’s Cricket Team lifting their first-ever ICC ODI World Cup. After decades of near-misses, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side finally broke the "knockout jinx" on home soil.

• The Moment: India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

• The Heroics: * Deepti Sharma: Named Player of the Tournament for her superhuman all-round effort (215 runs and 22 wickets). In the final, she took 5/39 to shatter the Proteas' chase.

  • Shafali Verma: Provided the spark in the final with a fearless 87 off 78 balls.

  • Jemimah Rodrigues: Played the innings of her life (127*) in the semi-final against Australia, helping India chase down a record 339.

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2. The Champions of Champions: Men’s 3rd Trophy

In March 2025, the Indian men’s team asserted their dominance in the 50-over format by winning the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

• The Final: An unbeaten Indian side faced New Zealand in Dubai. Chasing 252, Rohit Sharma (76) and a composed middle order led India to a 4-wicket win.

• Legacy: This victory cemented Rohit Sharma's legacy as a captain who could deliver ICC trophies back-to-back, following the 2024 T20 World Cup win.

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3. The End of an Era: Kohli and Rohit’s Test Retirement

While 2025 was a year of celebration, it was also one of reflection. Following a grueling home series, the legendary duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from Test cricket.

• Why it was Memorable: It marked the end of the most prolific era in Indian batting history. Their farewell was bittersweet, coming after a year where they faced intense scrutiny but finished with the satisfaction of having won every major white-ball trophy.

• The Transition: Their exit paved the way for the "Shubman Gill era," as the youngster finished the year as India's highest Test run-scorer (983 runs).

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4. Retaining the Throne: Asia Cup T20 Dominance

India continued to prove they are the "Kings of Asia" by clinching the Asia Cup 2025 title in the UAE.

• Highlight: The tournament showcased India's incredible bench strength. With senior players rested, youngsters like Abhishek Sharma (Player of the Tournament) and Tilak Varma dismantled oppositions.

• The Final: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 5 wickets in a high-octane final, fueled by Tilak Varma’s grit and the explosive opening starts that became India's signature style in 2025.

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5. Breaking the Barrier: Neeraj-esque Consistency in Bowling

While not a single match, the year 2025 will be remembered for the evolution of India's spin department, led by Kuldeep Yadav.

• The Feat: Kuldeep Yadav finished 2025 as the highest wicket-taker in the world across all formats, claiming 58 wickets. His "magic delivery" to dismiss Rachin Ravindra in the Champions Trophy final is already being hailed as a "Ball of the Century" contender for the modern era.

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Analysis for Your Blog: The "Women's World Cup" Impact

If you are writing this for a blog, the central theme should be "The Shift in Power." For years, Indian women's cricket was seen as "emerging." In 2025, it arrived. The World Cup win wasn't just a sporting victory; it was a commercial explosion.

• Viewership: The final saw a record 190 million viewers, surpassing previous records for women’s sports.

• Financial Growth: The prize money for the women’s 2025 edition was nearly four times that of the previous edition, signaling that the "business of the game" has finally caught up to the talent on the field.

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Bold Calls & New Blood: Shubman Gill Out, Ishan Kishan In for India’s T20 WC 2026 Quest

The Indian selection committee recently announced a bold 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, making shockwaves by dropping Shubman Gill and recalling Ishan Kishan. With India as co-hosts alongside Sri Lanka, the pressure to defend their title is immense.

Here is a comprehensive SWOT analysis and a look at the major roster changes.

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The Squad for T20 WC 2026

• Captain: Suryakumar Yadav | Vice-Captain: Axar Patel

• Batters/All-rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

• Wicketkeepers: Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson.

• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

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SWOT Analysis

Category	Analysis
Strengths	Elite Bowling & Intent: With Jasprit Bumrah and the rejuvenated Varun Chakravarthy, India has the world's most lethal T20 attack. The batting order now prioritizes high strike rates (Abhishek, Samson, Kishan) over traditional "anchor" roles.
Weaknesses	Middle-Order Volatility: If the aggressive top order falls early, the middle order (Dube, Tilak) has shown occasional struggles against high-quality pace on bouncy tracks.
Opportunities	Home Advantage: Playing in India/Sri Lanka offers familiar spin-friendly conditions where Kuldeep and Varun can dominate. It is also a massive platform for Abhishek Sharma to cement himself as the next global T20 superstar.
Threats	The "Pressure of Expectations": Being defending champions and hosts brings unique psychological baggage. Additionally, the lack of a backup specialist death bowler (behind Bumrah/Arshdeep) could be a risk if injuries occur.

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The Big Move: Ishan Kishan IN, Shubman Gill OUT

The exclusion of Shubman Gill is the biggest talking point of this selection. Despite being the captain in other formats, Gill’s T20I form in 2025 has been underwhelming, with no half-centuries in the calendar year.

Why Ishan Kishan is back:

1. Domestic Dominance: Kishan led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with over 500 runs at a strike rate near 200.

2. Aggression at the Top: The selectors have opted for "explosive intent" over "technical stability." Kishan’s ability to maximize the Powerplay as a left-hander creates a dynamic opening pairing with Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson.

3. Wicketkeeping Utility: With Jitesh Sharma also dropped, Kishan provides a high-intent wicketkeeping option who can float anywhere in the top three.

Why Shubman Gill was dropped:

• Lack of "T20 Tempo": Selectors felt Gill’s natural game was too conservative for the modern T20 power-hitting era, especially compared to the rapid starts provided by Abhishek Sharma.

• Recent Form: Poor returns in series against Australia and South Africa made his position untenable in a squad prioritizing current rhythm over pedigree.

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Key Player Roles

• Suryakumar Yadav: The tactical heartbeat and the world’s most dangerous middle-order batter.

• Axar Patel: Elevated to Vice-Captain, he is now the primary all-round anchor, replacing the role once held by Ravindra Jadeja.

• Varun Chakravarthy: After a historic domestic and international comeback, he enters the WC as India’s "X-factor" mystery spinner.

"Hurricane Hardik & Timeless Tilak: India Clinch T20 Series 3-1 Against South Africa"

India Won T20I series against South Africa 3-1 after a high-octane finale at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The series was a showcase of India's aggressive "new brand" of T20 cricket, highlighted by a dominant 30-run victory in the 5th and final match.

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🏆 Series Review: India vs South Africa (2025)

The series began with India crushing the Proteas in Cuttack, followed by a South African bounce-back in New Chandigarh. After India regained the lead in Dharamsala, the 4th T20I in Lucknow was unfortunately washed out due to heavy fog, setting the stage for a "winner-takes-all" finale in Ahmedabad.

The Statistical Leaders

Category	Player	Stats
Most Runs	Tilak Varma (IND)	187 Runs
Most Wickets	Varun Chakravarthy (IND)	10 Wickets
Highest Score	Quinton de Kock (SA)	65 (35) - 5th T20I
Fastest Fifty	Hardik Pandya (IND)	16 Balls - 5th T20I

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⚡ The 5th T20I Heroes: Hardik & Tilak

The final match was defined by a massive 231/5 posted by India, powered by a 105-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma.

• Tilak Varma: The young sensation anchored the innings with a mature 73 off 42 balls. His consistency throughout the series earned him the top-scorer spot, proving he is a vital cog in India's future middle order.

• Hardik Pandya: Hardik was in "beast mode," smashing a 16-ball fifty (the second-fastest for India). He ended with 63 off 25 balls, featuring 5 sixes. His ability to finish games with such high strike rates remains unmatched.

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🎯 Bowling Masterclass: Jasprit Bumrah

While the batters set the stage, Jasprit Bumrah provided the clinical finish.

• In the high-scoring 5th T20I, where most bowlers went for over 10 runs per over, Bumrah returned incredible figures of 2/17 in 4 overs.

• He took the crucial wicket of a rampant Quinton de Kock, effectively breaking the back of the South African chase.

• Earlier in the series, Bumrah also reached the milestone of 100 T20I wickets, becoming the first Indian bowler to take 100+ wickets in all three formats.

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📉 The Worrying Factor: Suryakumar Yadav's Form

Despite the series win, Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s personal form is a growing concern.

• In the 5th T20I, he fell for just 5 runs off 7 balls.

• Stat Alert: SKY has ended the calendar year 2025 without a single T20I fifty. He averaged just 13.62 across the year, a stark contrast to his usual world-class standards. With the T20 World Cup approaching, his "out of runs" phase is under intense scrutiny.

Ahmedabad Decider: IND vs SA 5th T20I Pitch Report, Playing 11, and Fantasy Picks

The 5th and final T20I between India and South Africa is scheduled for December 19, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India leads the series 2-1 after the 4th match was abandoned due to fog.

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## Pitch Report & Ground Stats

The Narendra Modi Stadium is known for its batting-friendly nature but offers a balanced contest between bat and ball.

• Surface: The ground has both red and black soil pitches. Red soil tends to offer more bounce and spin, while black soil stays flatter. For T20s, it’s usually a "belter" with a fast outfield.

• Average 1st Innings Score: ~183 runs.

• Bowling Factor: Pacers who can hit the deck and use variations (cutters/slower balls) are more successful than traditional swing bowlers. Spinners usually play a defensive role here unless the pitch is exceptionally dry.

• The "Dew" Factor: Being an evening match in December, dew is highly likely. This makes chasing much easier as the ball becomes slippery for bowlers in the second innings.

• Toss Strategy: Win the toss and bowl first.

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## Probable Playing 11

India (IND)

Shubman Gill is reportedly nursing a toe injury, which might see a change at the top.

1. Abhishek Sharma

2. Sanju Samson / Shubman Gill (Gill is doubtful)

3. Suryakumar Yadav (C)

4. Tilak Varma

5. Hardik Pandya

6. Shivam Dube / Rinku Singh

7. Jitesh Sharma (WK)

8. Varun Chakravarthy

9. Arshdeep Singh

10. Kuldeep Yadav

11. Harshit Rana / Jasprit Bumrah (If rested players return)

South Africa (SA)

1. Quinton de Kock (WK)

2. Reeza Hendricks

3. Aiden Markram (C)

4. Tristan Stubbs

5. Dewald Brevis / David Miller

6. Donovan Ferreira

7. Marco Jansen

8. Ottneil Baartman

9. Lungi Ngidi

10. Anrich Nortje

11. Keshav Maharaj

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## Fantasy Cricket Tips (Captain & Vice-Captain)

Type	Captain (C)	Vice-Captain (VC)
Safe (Small Leagues)	Hardik Pandya (Local boy, knows the ground, bats & bowls)	Quinton de Kock (Aggressive at the top, wicket-keeping points)
High Reward (Grand League)	Abhishek Sharma (Can exploit the powerplay on this flat track)	Varun Chakravarthy (Has been the highest wicket-taker of the series)
Consistent Pick	Tilak Varma (Top run-scorer of the series)	Aiden Markram (Solid anchor and handy off-spin)

Key Players to Watch:

• Marco Jansen: His ability to take wickets with the new ball and score quick runs down the order makes him a must-have.

• Tilak Varma: He is currently in the form of his life, averaging over 50 in the series.