Match 4th T20I
South Africa Tour of India (5 T20Is)
December 17, 2025, 7:00 pm
India Logo
India
Odds » 1.37
VS.
South Africa Logo
South Africa
Odds » 3.05
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

IND vs SA Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: South Africa Tour of India 2025, 4th T20I, December 17

Published on: Dec 16, 2025 7:00 pm IST | Updated on: Dec 16, 2025 5:43 pm IST

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The hosts have gone 2-1 up after a fascinating win over the Proteas in the last game by 7 wickets. The two teams now head to the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow for the fourth game of the series to be played on December 17. It has been a topsy-turvy show from both teams so far in this series, and it would be interesting to see whether South Africa forces the series into the decider slated to take place on December 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 4th T20I Match, IND vs SA, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Win Probability: IND vs SA

Both teams have been seen exploring their options in this series as part of the preparations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Gautam Gambhir, the master of experiments, has done his bit in shuffling the batting order and the eleven as well. South Africa has focused more on a rotation policy to give their players some sort of break. So far, with the current scoreline of the series, Team India is in a better position, and the win probability meter should also lean in their favor. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 4th T20I Match, IND vs SA, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

IND: 56% win chance
SA: 44% win chance

  • After a win in the last game, Team India has now won three of their last 5 T20Is, which also includes a no-result game.
  • A loss in the last match was South Africa’s fourth in the last five games.
  • India now has 4 wins to their name from the last 5 meetings against South Africa.

Cricket Betting Tips for IND vs SA- 4th t20I

Shubman Gill to score Over 25.5

Gautam Gambhir's forced poster boy of Indian cricket, Shubman Gill, has failed to score a single fifty in his last 17 T20I innings. Still, he has a confirmed place in the eleven and is also the vice-captain. It's high time Gill finds his mojo and somehow gets going.

Aiden Markram to score Over 20.5

The Proteas skipper was the lone warrior in the last game with a fifty to his name. He will once again be a vital cog with the bat for the visitors.

Dewald Brevis to score Over 19.5

Three failures in this series might lead Dewald Brevis to redeem himself. He could be up for a big knock in Lucknow.

Tilak Varma to score Over 23.5

With a fifty to his name, Tilak Varma is leading the run-charts for Team India so far in this series. The left-hander will be a prime bet in this game.

IND vs SA Today’s Match Prediction

Check out our prediction for the IND vs SA 4th T20I match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Can India secure the series in Lucknow itself?

India will head into the fourth game of the series at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow with the chance to secure the contest outright. After a commanding seven-wicket win over South Africa in Dharamsala, the hosts have taken a 2-1 lead in what has been a topsy-turvy battle so far. The series has swung back and forth, with both teams producing moments of brilliance and lapses in execution, keeping fans on edge throughout.

For India, the batting unit looks in strong rhythm, with top-order contributions setting the tone and the middle order providing stability. The bowlers, too, have stepped up, striking at crucial intervals to keep the Proteas under pressure. South Africa, however, remains a dangerous opponent, capable of bouncing back with their explosive batting and disciplined pace attack.

Lucknow’s conditions will test both sides, with the pitch often favoring pacers and demanding patience from batters. India will be keen to capitalize on their momentum and close out the series before the final match, while the Proteas will fight hard to level things up. With high stakes and contrasting styles, the clash promises another thrilling chapter in this unpredictable series.

South Africa needs to clarify: How much is too much?

South Africa needs to clarify how much is too much when it comes to their rotation policy. In the first two games of the series, the Proteas experimented heavily with their lineup, aiming to provide rest and opportunities across the squad. While rotation can be a useful tool to manage workloads and keep players fresh, excessive changes often disrupt rhythm and continuity, especially in a competitive bilateral series.

The challenge for South Africa lies in striking the right balance between experimentation and stability. Constant shuffling has prevented the team from building momentum, with players struggling to settle into defined roles. Key performers need consistent game time to establish partnerships and confidence, while fringe players can be rotated strategically rather than en masse.

Heading into the crucial middle phase of the series, the Proteas must decide whether to prioritize results or continue testing combinations. A more settled XI could help them regain control and challenge the opposition effectively. Rotation has its merits, but without clarity on limits, it risks undermining the team’s cohesion and chances of success. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.

IND vs SA Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 34
SA won: 13
IND won: 20
No Result: 1
RECENT form INDIA: W W NR W L
RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: W L L L W

A total of 34 matches have been played between India and South Africa in the shortest format. India leads the way with 20 wins to their name, whereas South Africa has won 13 matches. One game between the two ended without a result. 

Team Analysis: India and South Africa

How will the two teams, i.e., India and South Africa, fare in the fourth T20I? Let’s take a look.

INDIA (IND)

  • Axar Patel has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to illness.
  • Jasprit Bumrah, who returned home due to personal reasons, is yet to join the squad ahead of this game. He will remain unavailable for this game.
  • After securing a composite win in the last game, there won’t be many changes in the eleven.

Expected Starting 11

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

South Africa (SA)

  • After failing to contribute two games in a row, Reeza Hendricks might face the axe for senior pro David Miller, who was rested in the last game.
  • Spin will be a key factor in Lucknow. Therefore, either Keshav Maharaj or George Linde might come in for Ottneil Baartman or Lungi Ngidi.
  • No other changes expected.

Expected Starting 11

Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde/Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi/Ottneil Baartman

Weather Conditions and Pitch Report

Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 4th T20I between India and South Africa at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Pitch Report (Ekana Stadium, Lucknow)Weather Report (Lucknow, Dec 17, 2025)
The surface is generally on the slower side, making stroke-play tricky as the innings progress.Conditions will be warm and humid, with daytime temperatures around 26–28°C.
Early overs may offer true bounce, but the red-soil pitch tends to slow down later, aiding spinners.Evening humidity could assist swing bowlers, especially under lights.
Batters need patience; rotating strike becomes crucial once the ball grips.There is a slight chance of rain showers in the evening, which may interrupt play.
Teams winning the toss often prefer to bat first, aiming to post a total before the pitch slows.Winds are expected to be light, ensuring otherwise pleasant playing conditions.

Toss Prediction

At the Ekana Stadium, the toss will be crucial. The team winning it is likely to bat first, aiming to exploit the surface before it slows down for spinners. However, with evening humidity offering swing under lights and dew also a factor, captains may also consider bowling first to strike early blows.

Where to Watch Today’s Match

The online live streaming of the 4th T20I match of the South Africa tour of India will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Star Sports 1 and 3 channels.

IND vs SA: Today’s Match Predictions

India is better placed in this series with 2 wins so far. The Proteas did show prominence in the opening two games but were flattened in the last game in Dharamsala. The hosts must be feeling confident with a win the other night and should take that confidence into this game and secure the series ahead of the 5th and final T20I of the series to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Therefore, as per our prediction, Team India is expected to win the IND vs SA 4th T20I match and go 3-1 up in the series.

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Odds » 1.37
VS.
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Odds » 3.05