After losing the Test series, India clinched the ODI series against South Africa, boosting their confidence ahead of the T20I series.
With the Test and ODI contests closely contested, the five-match T20I series is expected to deliver more drama and thrills.
Currently, India hold the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. In T20Is, India have been in solid form, recently defeating Australia 2-1 in a five-match series on foreign soil.
Ahead of the first T20I against South Africa, here’s a look at the players to watch out for.
Abhishek Sharma earned his place in this series after an impressive performance for Punjab in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He had to leave Punjab’s campaign early to join Team India, finishing the tournament with 304 runs in 6 matches at an average of 50.66, including a century and two fifties.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya last represented India in the T20I Super 4s against Sri Lanka during the 2025 Asia Cup in September. After recovering from injury, he recently made his return to competitive cricket for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In 2 matches, he scored 77* and 10, while with the ball he took 1/52 and 1/16.
Marco Jansen impressed for South Africa in the two-Test series against India, claiming 12 wickets. He followed that with four wickets in the three-match ODI series and produced a match-winning 70 in the second ODI in Raipur. He will now feature in the upcoming T20I series. In 19 T20Is, Jansen has taken 18 wickets at an average of 32.44, and across all T20 matches, he has 132 wickets.
The explosive Proteas southpaw will be returning to the side for the first time since his last appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy. Miller has played 130 T20Is for South Africa and has scored 2591 runs at an average of 33.21 and a strike rate of over 140. Given his consistency in the white-ball format, Team India will be wary of the threat he poses. South Africa, on the other hand, will welcome the veteran and hope for a great outing from him.
Gill, who missed the Tests and the ODIs due to an injury, is set to return to the Indian playing XI and will look to come back with a bang. Gill has played 33 T20Is and has scored 837 runs at an average of 29.89, with a strike rate of 140.43. He will look to make up for the cricket missed with match-winning batting performances against South Africa.