Blue Brigade targets series victory in final Ahmedabad T20 clash.

Ahmedabad is ready to host the grand finale of the five-match series between India and South Africa. After the previous encounter in Lucknow was washed out due to heavy fog, the focus shifts to the Narendra Modi Stadium. With India leading the series 2-1, Suryakumar Yadav’s men are on the verge of clinching another home series victory. Meanwhile, the Proteas under Aiden Markram will be desperate to secure a win and force a 2-2 draw.

Shubman Gill Injury and Selection Dilemmas

The biggest talking point ahead of the India vs South Africa 5th T20I is the fitness of vice-captain Shubman Gill. Reports suggest that a toe injury sustained during a practice session in Lucknow has put his participation in doubt. This setback might pave the way for Sanju Samson to return to his preferred opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma. Samson has shown incredible spark as an opener in the past, and this could be his chance to cement a spot before the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Search for Form

While India’s winning percentage remains high under his leadership, captain Suryakumar Yadav is facing a rare lean patch with the bat. The "Mr. 360" of Indian cricket has struggled to convert starts into big scores throughout 2025. With the global tournament approaching, the team management will hope their skipper finds his rhythm on the batting-friendly tracks of Ahmedabad.

Pitch Report and Home Advantage

The Narendra Modi Stadium is famous for its true bounce and high-scoring nature. Spinners like Varun Chakravarthy, who has been the standout bowler with six wickets in the series, will play a crucial role as the game progresses. Local hero Jasprit Bumrah is also back in the mix and will lead the pace attack on his home turf. Dew is expected to be a significant factor in the second innings, which might influence the captain winning the toss to bowl first.

Predicted Playing 11

• India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
• South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman.

Cricket fans from Cuttack to Ahmedabad are eagerly waiting to see if the Men in Blue can finish the year 2025 on a high note.