India aim to wrap up series against South Africa in Lucknow

India has the opportunity to secure their 14th consecutive T20I series victory with a win against South Africa in Lucknow on Wednesday. Conversely, a defeat for South Africa would mark their 19th loss in 29 T20I games.

While framing this match as a clash between two teams that reached the finals of the last T20 World Cup might seem like an overstatement, the trajectories of both sides in the shortest format have diverged significantly since that tournament. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the disparity in results over the past year and a half doesn't necessarily reflect a similar gap in individual talent between the two teams. Despite being outplayed in two of the three matches played so far, South Africa still has a chance to force a series decider, which could provide a crucial confidence boost as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The north Indian leg of the tour continues, and similar conditions to the previous games are expected. Players should anticipate chill, fog, some dew, and early assistance for pace bowlers. Abhishek Sharma has suggested that these conditions could be a preview of what to expect at the next World Cup. Regardless of the outcome, this series offers valuable preparation for both teams to address any remaining concerns.

**Match Conditions**

The forecast predicts a chilly and foggy evening in Lucknow. Dew is likely to be a factor early in the game. Recent T20 matches at this venue have seen moderate scores, with some initial movement for fast bowlers but limited assistance for spin bowlers.

**Team Updates**

Axar Patel will miss the remainder of the series due to his injury, and Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as his replacement. While there's no official announcement from the BCCI regarding Jasprit Bumrah's availability, Shivam Dube indicated that he believes Bumrah might be available for the 4th T20I.

**Quotes**

Anrich Nortje, South Africa pacer: "There's a lot of competition as well, which creates opportunity and also creates a little bit of pressure for guys in the team, which is good. It's what you want. That's something that's built up over the last year or two and it just puts guys under pressure, and a lot of guys have to fight for a spot, which is great."

Shivam Dube, India all-rounder, on captain Suryakumar Yadav: "He is a fighter. Whether he is scoring runs or not, he remains the same. He always wants to do something for the team. He is an innovative and threatening player."