IND vs SA 4th T20 Match Preview – The five-match T20I series between India and South Africa reaches a critical juncture as the two teams clash in the 4th T20I at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, December 17, 2025. With India currently holding a 2-1 lead after a comprehensive victory in the 3rd T20I, the hosts will be eager to seal the series with a match to spare.
The series has been a rollercoaster. India registered a huge win in the opener, only for South Africa to bounce back with a powerful performance in the second T20I, spearheaded by a blazing 90 from Quinton de Kock. However, India regained the lead in the third match, successfully chasing a small target set by South Africa. This must-win match for South Africa will test their character against a formidable Indian side playing on home turf.
IND vs SA 4th T20 Match Details
| Feature | Details |
| Match | India vs South Africa, 4th T20I |
| Series | South Africa tour of India, 2025 |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Date & Time | Tuesday, December 17, 2025, 07:00 PM IST |
| Live Telecast | JioHotstar, Star Sports |
IND vs SA 4th T20 Head-to-Head
India holds a clear advantage over South Africa in the T20I format, though the contest remains fierce, particularly on Indian soil.
| Format | Total Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
| T20I | 33 | 19 | 13 | 1 |
| Last 5 Matches | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
IND vs SA 4th T20 Pitch Report: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
The Ekana Stadium has a reputation for being more bowler-friendly compared to other Indian venues.
Pace vs. Spin: The pitch has been known to assist bowling, particularly slower or spin bowlers. However, pace bowlers can find success with the ball coming off the red soil pitches, which offer more bounce. Historically, T20Is at this ground have seen a higher percentage of wickets taken by pacers.
Scoring: While the average 1st Innings T20I total here has been around 160, IPL matches in 2024 saw the average first-innings score rise to nearly 183. The pitch can be dual-natured, leading to both low-scoring and high-scoring matches.
Toss Strategy: In the T20Is played at the venue, the team batting first has won 5 out of 6 matches, though in IPL, the toss advantage is more evenly split. Given the evening start, dew could become a factor, potentially tempting the captain winning the toss to bowl first.
IND vs SA 4th T20 Weather Report
The weather in Lucknow for the evening of December 17th is expected to be cool and clear.
Temperature: With the match starting at 7:00 PM, the temperature will likely be cool, potentially dropping as low as 13°C to 16°C in the night.
Rain Threat: There is virtually no threat of rain.
Conditions: The clear skies and cool temperatures mean dew may be an issue in the second innings, which could make gripping the ball difficult for the bowlers.
IND vs SA 4th T20 Probable Playing XI
India (IND): India will look to maintain their winning combination. The form of batters like Tilak Varma, who is India’s leading run-scorer in the series, will be key. Spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy (the leading wicket-taker for India in the series) and Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial on a pitch that might assist turn.
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa (SA): South Africa’s batting will heavily rely on the in-form Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram, the leading run-scorer for the Proteas in the series. Pacer Lungi Ngidi (the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in the series) and the spin of Keshav Maharaj will be vital for the visitors.
Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
IND vs SA 4th T20 Match Prediction
The series is poised for a grandstand finish, but India, with the momentum of the third match victory and the advantage of playing in home conditions, enters the 4th T20I as the clear favorite.
India’s Edge: The Indian batting lineup, despite some inconsistency, is capable of posting or chasing a high total. Their balanced attack of pace (Bumrah, Arshdeep) and mystery spin (Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep) is well-suited for the slow nature of the Ekana pitch.
South Africa’s Challenge: South Africa needs a much-improved batting performance from their middle order, as captain Markram has been the lone fighter in the most recent loss. Their bowlers, especially the pacers, will need to be at their best to counter the Indian batters.
Given the current form and the home advantage, India is predicted to win and seal the series.
