IND vs SA Toss, Playing 11 Update for 1st T20I: India captain Aiden Markram opted to bowl first after winning the toss against India at the Barabati Cuttack Stadium in Cuttack on December 9, 2025 (Tuesday).
After winning the toss, Aiden Markram said: We’re going to bowl first. Expecting conditions to be good here in India. Quite a bit of dew around, might be a constant throughout the game but might get a bit worse later. It’s the way things work, lot of the games end up playing in the mind, need to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Fantastic build-up to the World Cup. From a conditions point of view, it’s going to be great. Can’t simulate this in South Africa, looking to make the most of it.
Meanwhile India captain Suryakumar Yadav said: We were a little confused looking at the wicket, it was looking a bit greener yesterday. Happy to bat first, want to make the most of it and defend. It becomes a little challenging for the bowlers, it is going to remain for a really long time. Let’s not think about it, have it as a challenge. We had a good series in Australia, now we play against South Africa and then against New Zealand. It’s good preparation. Want to enjoy it. It’s a good headache to have. The guys missing out are Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
IND vs SA Pitch Report
The square boundaries at the Barabati Stadium measure 62 and 65 metres, with a longer 76-metre hit straight down the ground. The surface was relaid in 2023 and is made of red soil, although the grass coverage makes it hard to spot at first glance. There are a few visible cracks, but despite the appearance, it’s expected to play true with good bounce – ideal for shot-making. Conditions suggest this will be a high-scoring venue where batters could enjoy themselves. With dew having played a big role recently and typically settling by early evening, the team winning the toss is likely to prefer chasing.
IND vs SA Squads
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde.
India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.