South Africa to Tour India for Five-Match T20I Series in December 2025, Siraj Set to Return
Dec, 4 2025
When BCCI dropped the official schedule for the South Africa tour of India 2025, cricket fans didn’t just breathe a sigh of relief—they erupted. The five-match T20I series, set to run from December 9 to December 19, 2025, isn’t just another bilateral fixture. It’s a comeback story wrapped in red dust and floodlights, headlined by the return of India’s most electrifying fast bowler: Mohammed Siraj. After months on the sidelines recovering from a nagging hamstring injury, the 29-year-old Hyderabad pacer is now expected to take the field in the final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. And yes, that’s the same ground that holds over 132,000 fans—the world’s largest cricket stadium. This isn’t just cricket. It’s theatre.
The Full Tour: More Than Just T20s
The T20I series is the grand finale of a sprawling, seven-match tour that kicks off with a two-match Test series in October, followed by three ODIs in November and December. The first Test begins on October 10, 2025, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with the second Test wrapping up on October 14. Then, after a brief pause, the limited-overs action begins: the first ODI on November 30 in Ranchi, the second on December 3 in Raipur, and the third on December 6 in Visakhapatnam. The T20Is follow immediately after, with the first match on December 9 in Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium. Every game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM IST start—a deliberate nod to prime-time viewership across India’s 1.4 billion population.
Venues That Tell a Story
The itinerary reads like a geography lesson in Indian cricket’s evolution. Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, with its electric atmosphere and roaring Bengali crowds, opens the T20I leg. Then it’s on to Mullanpur, the gleaming new Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh, where the pitch is known for its pace and bounce. Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium sits at 1,450 meters above sea level—a high-altitude challenge that could swing the balance between bat and ball. Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, often criticized for its empty stands, will be packed this time. And then, the crescendo: Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Opened in 2020 and now the undisputed king of cricket venues, it’s where India’s biggest moments are etched into history.
Why Siraj’s Return Matters
Before the injury, Siraj was India’s most lethal T20I bowler. In his last 10 appearances, he averaged 18.7 runs per wicket with an economy of 7.9. His ability to swing the new ball at 145+ km/h and extract late movement off the pitch made him the go-to option in death overs. His absence during the 2024 T20 World Cup left a void. Now, with the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings on the line—India currently sits at No. 2, South Africa at No. 4—his return could be the difference between a series win and a costly slip. Shubman Gill, India’s captain, is also expected to lead from the front. The Gujarat Titans’ official site confirms both players are slated for the Ahmedabad fixture, a sign that the BCCI is treating this series as a warm-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreboard
This isn’t just about rankings. It’s about momentum. South Africa’s last tour of India in 2022 ended in a 3-0 whitewash. They’ve been rebuilding since, with young guns like Gerald Coetzee and Heinrich Klaasen emerging as global stars. India, meanwhile, is transitioning from its veteran core to a new generation. The ODIs and T20Is will be a litmus test: Can India’s young spinners like Washington Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal handle pressure? Can South Africa’s pace attack—led by Marco Jansen—crack open India’s top order? And crucially, can Siraj rediscover his rhythm under the bright lights of Ahmedabad?
Timeline: The Road to December
- October 10–14, 2025: Test series begins at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- November 30, 2025: 1st ODI, Ranchi
- December 3, 2025: 2nd ODI, Raipur
- December 6, 2025: 3rd ODI, Visakhapatnam
- December 9, 2025: 1st T20I, Cuttack
- December 11, 2025: 2nd T20I, Mullanpur
- December 14, 2025: 3rd T20I, Dharamsala
- December 17, 2025: 4th T20I, Lucknow
- December 19, 2025: 5th T20I, Ahmedabad
Behind the Scenes: Logistics and Legacy
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has already begun planning its delegation’s arrival in mid-November, with training camps set up in Bengaluru and Pune. The BCCI, meanwhile, has coordinated with state associations to ensure pitch preparation, security, and broadcast logistics are flawless. The Dharamsala match, in particular, presents unique challenges: thin air, cooler temperatures, and unpredictable wind patterns. Teams will need to adjust their strategies accordingly. And while the Test series dates (October) appear to conflict with the broader November–December tour timeline, the BCCI has confirmed the Tests are part of the same official tour, just scheduled earlier to accommodate the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Mohammed Siraj play all five T20Is?
It’s unlikely. Siraj is expected to be managed carefully after his injury, with the BCCI likely to rest him for one or two matches to preserve his fitness ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Ahmedabad fixture on December 19 is his most probable return point, given its significance and the stadium’s ideal conditions for fast bowlers.
Why is the T20I series scheduled after the ODIs and Tests?
The BCCI prioritizes longer formats for international tours to maximize revenue and player development. T20Is, while popular, are treated as high-impact, low-duration events. Ending the tour with a T20I series allows for maximum fan engagement and media attention, especially with the World Cup just over a year away.
How does this series affect India’s World Test Championship chances?
It doesn’t directly. The World Test Championship cycle (2025–2027) is based solely on Test matches. However, the two Tests against South Africa in October will contribute to India’s WTC points tally. The T20Is and ODIs are separate, but strong performances across formats signal team depth and readiness for global tournaments.
Is the December 9 T20I in Cuttack confirmed for 7 PM IST?
Yes. While BCCI’s official site lists 5:30 PM IST, multiple authoritative sources—including NDTV Sports, Gujarat Titans, and CREX—confirm the match will start at 7:00 PM IST. This is likely a correction to align with prime-time broadcasting windows. The 7 PM slot is now standard for all T20Is in India.
What impact will Dharamsala’s altitude have on the game?
At 1,450 meters, the air is thinner, meaning the ball travels faster and carries further. Batters will likely see more sixes, while spinners may struggle for grip. Teams will need to adjust their bowling attacks—expect more pace and fewer spinners. South Africa, with its strong pace battery, might gain an edge here.
Who is likely to captain South Africa during the tour?
Temba Bavuma is the current captain, but he’s been managing a shoulder injury. If he’s unfit, the role could fall to Aiden Markram or Heinrich Klaasen. CSA hasn’t confirmed the final leadership setup yet, but Bavuma is expected to lead unless medical advice dictates otherwise.