Overview:
Overall, the venue does not heavily tilt toward either side, and execution in the first six overs is likely to decide which team gains the upper hand.
India and South Africa head into the next T20I with the series finely poised after South Africa’s emphatic 51-run win in the previous match. After being put under pressure by a commanding 213-run total and a disciplined bowling effort, India will be keen to reset and regain control, while South Africa will look to build on their momentum and assert dominance. With the contest now shifting to Dharamshala, conditions could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome. The high altitude venue at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is known for offering early assistance to fast bowlers before settling into a more balanced surface. Understanding how the pitch behaves here will be crucial as both teams look to seize the initiative in this tightly contested series.
India’s Squad for T20 Series vs South Africa
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicket keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket keeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
South Africa’s Squad for T20 Series vs India
Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wicket keeper), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.
India’s Probable XI for the 3rd T20I vs South Africa
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shubmann Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa’s Probable XI for the 3rd T20I vs India
Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wicket keeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donnovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartmaan, Lutho Sipamla.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala – Key Details
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is one of India’s most scenic international venues, located in the Himalayan foothills at a high altitude. Established in the early 2000s, the stadium has a seating capacity in the range of 21,000 to 23,000 spectators and is equipped with full floodlights, making it suitable for day-night matches. The two ends are known as the River End and the College End.
The venue’s altitude plays a significant role in match dynamics, with thin mountain air influencing both batting and bowling conditions. The stadium has hosted a limited number of international matches across formats, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Weather conditions in Dharamshala are typically cooler compared to most Indian venues, with cloud cover and evening chill often impacting play, particularly in white ball cricket.
What is the pitch like at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
The pitch at the HPCA Stadium is best described as balanced but condition-dependent. Early in the match, fast bowlers usually enjoy assistance due to grass cover, cool temperatures, and thin air, which combine to produce seam and swing, especially under lights. Batters often need to negotiate the new ball carefully, as stroke-making can be risky in the powerplay.
As the game progresses, the surface tends to settle, offering truer bounce and better value for shots. Batting becomes easier once players get set, and timing improves significantly. Spinners generally do not receive a sharp turn at this venue, but those who rely on accuracy and variations can be effective in the middle overs. Overall, the pitch transitions from bowler-friendly early to more balanced later, rewarding discipline over aggression.
Key stats at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
T20I cricket at Dharamshala has produced moderate scoring patterns rather than consistent high totals. A total of around eight to ten T20 internationals have been played at the venue, with results evenly split between teams batting first and teams chasing. This indicates that there is no strong toss bias at the HPCA Stadium.
India have played three T20Is at this ground, winning two and losing one, with their lone defeat coming against South Africa. Average first innings scores vary depending on the dataset used, ranging from the mid-140s to around 165 when only completed 20-over innings are considered. High-scoring outliers, such as South Africa’s 200-run chase in 2015, have lifted the average, but several low totals keep the overall scoring range moderate by T20I standards.
IND vs SA: Weather forecast – Will Rain Play a Role
The weather forecast for Dharamshala suggests cloudy and cool conditions throughout the day, with temperatures expected to be lower than on previous days. Overcast skies are likely, which could assist fast bowlers early by enhancing swing and seam movement. At present, there is no indication of rain, and interruptions due to precipitation are not expected.
While rain may not play a role, cloud cover and cool evening conditions could influence the match significantly. The ball may move more in the early overs, and grip could become a challenge later in the night. Dew remains a possibility in evening games, which can reduce assistance for bowlers and make chasing slightly easier. Teams will need to factor in weather-driven changes rather than expect uniform conditions throughout the match.
India vs South Africa: Pitch Advantage for Which Side
On paper, the Dharamshala surface offers something for both sides, but early conditions could slightly favour South Africa’s pace-heavy bowling attack. Seam and swing-friendly conditions suit disciplined fast bowlers who can exploit movement with the new ball. India’s top order, which has shown vulnerability early in recent matches, will need to adapt quickly.
As the pitch flattens, India’s middle-order batting depth and familiarity with Indian conditions could come into play. Batters who absorb pressure early are likely to succeed later. For South Africa, power hitters can benefit from altitude once set, but reckless strokeplay early could be punished. Overall, the venue does not heavily tilt toward either side, and execution in the first six overs is likely to decide which team gains the upper hand.
FAQs: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
What is the pitch report for Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala?
The pitch at HPCA Stadium offers early assistance to fast bowlers through seam and swing before settling into a balanced surface that supports batting later in the innings.
What are India’s and South Africa’s records at this venue?
India have played three T20Is at Dharamshala, winning two and losing one, with the defeat coming against South Africa. Overall, T20I results at the venue are evenly split between teams batting first and chasing.