India vs South Africa 1st T20 Match Weather, Pitch Report Today: After a gripping Test series and a captivating ODI leg, the caravan for South Africa’s all-format tour of India moves to the T20I series.
The Proteas take on the reigning T20 World Cup champions in an exciting five-match series, starting Tuesday, December 9.
Cuttack will play host to the opening game of the series, which then takes the two teams to New Chandigarh (Dec 11), Dharamshala (Dec 14), Lucknow (Dec 17) and Ahmedabad (Dec 19). Located in the eastern part of Odisha, the Barabati Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity for the match between the two fierce teams.
India have positive memories of playing South Africa in the shortest form of the game. Having pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat in the thrilling 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados, the Men in Blue also defeated the Proteas 3-1 during an away series played later last year.
The titleholders have been the dominant side heading into the next iteration of the T20 World Cup on home shores. They’ve not conceded a single bilateral series under their skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Indians also emerged triumphant in the Asia Cup 2025, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan thrice along the way, and won their last assignment in Australia.
For South Africa, the 1-2 series loss on their recent trip to Pakistan would’ve served as a reminder of their issues. The series against India also offers them an opportunity to put their depth to the litmus test, with key seamer Kagiso Rabada still missing and now left-hander Tony de Zorzi and young pacer Kwena Maphaka are also ruled out with injuries.
The returns of vice-captain Shubman Gill from his neck issue and ace quick Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the ODIs, mean that the Indians will be at full strength.
Cuttack Weather Forecast For IND Vs SA 1st T20I
Dew has played a major role in the limited-overs section of South Africa’s India visit, with teams opting to bowl first upon winning the toss in the ODI series. The trend is expected to continue in the T20Is, especially in Cuttack. The forecast is for no rain, amidst temperatures expected to range between 20 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius. Expect humidity nudging over 40 per cent and a minimal wind of 7 km/hour.
Pitch Report For IND vs SA 1st T20I
As per a report, Barabati Stadium is expected to dish out a red-soil pitch offering some bounce and will be a batting paradise. India captain Suryakumar Yadav was surprised when told of the surface during a media interaction but expects it to play well even if he prefers black soil.
