India completely outplayed South Africa in the first T20I at Cuttack, winning by a massive 124 runs.
Hardik Pandya’s comeback was the highlight – He smashed 59 runs off just 28 balls and looked like he never left.
South Africa, on the other hand, got bundled out for only 74 runs, which was honestly embarrassing for a team of their quality.
Now both teams head to New Chandigarh for the second T20I.
This venue is hosting its first men’s international match, but we do have data from 11 IPL games played here.
That gives us some useful insights for building Dream11 teams.
India will want to seal the series while South Africa desperately needs a win to stay alive.
The pressure is completely on the visitors now. For fantasy cricket players, this match offers some interesting choices.
Do you back India’s in-form players or gamble on South African stars who are due for a big score?
IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report
This IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report breaks down everything you need – from pitch behavior to player matchups – so you can make smart fantasy decisions based on actual data, not guesswork.
Match Summary at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| First International Match | Yes (men’s cricket) |
| IPL Matches Played | 11 games |
| Pitch Type | Balanced surface, helps both bat and ball |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 165-170 (based on IPL data) |
| Batting First Success | 6 wins out of 11 (54.5%) |
| Pace Bowling Performance | 98 wickets @ 25.63 avg, 9.22 economy |
| Spin Bowling Performance | 47 wickets @ 21.55 avg, 7.48 economy |
| Dew Factor | Minimal (no high stands to trap moisture) |
| Weather Forecast | Clear and cool evening |
| Temperature Expected | Comfortable for players and fans |
| Toss Advantage | Slight edge to batting first |
Match Preview Based on Last Match Trends
The first T20I wasn’t even close. India struggled early, reaching just 40/2 in the power play. But then Hardik Pandya walked in and changed everything.
His 59 not out off 28 balls was exactly what India needed. The pitch wasn’t easy, but Hardik made it look simple. India posted a competitive total that looked above par for that ground.
South Africa started okay with the ball. They picked up early wickets and kept things tight during the power play. But once Hardik got going, their death bowling fell apart completely.
Then came the chase. South Africa’s batting just collapsed. Getting all out for 74 is shocking at this level. Only Dewald Brevis crossed 20 runs, and he got out to a controversial no-ball call that was extremely tight.
What This Means for Dream11:
India’s bowlers looked unplayable. Varun Chakravarthy and the pace attack ran through South Africa’s batting lineup. For fantasy picks, Indian bowlers are extremely valuable right now.
But here’s something interesting—South Africa’s top players like Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Dewald Brevis all failed in the first match.
Statistically, they’re due for better performances. In grand leagues, picking one or two South African batters as differentials could work.
India’s momentum is huge. They’ve won 27 out of 31 T20Is since the 2024 World Cup Final. South Africa has won only 9 out of 26 in the same period. The form difference is massive.
IND vs SA 2nd T20 Possible Playing 11
India’s Expected XI
| Player | Role | Why Important |
|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Opener | 773 runs in 2025 @ SR 194.71 |
| Shubman Gill | Opener | Anchor (but form is a concern) |
| Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Batter | Captain, middle-order aggressor |
| Tilak Varma | Batter | 2 centuries vs SA in 7 innings |
| Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Wicketkeeper | Lower-order power |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder | Just scored 59*, can bowl death |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder | Batting depth |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder | Spin option vs right-handers |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | Powerplay specialist |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Bowler | 14 wickets vs SA in 5 innings |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler | Death bowling expert |
India won’t change anything. They won by 124 runs—why would they?
South Africa’s Expected XI
| Player | Role | Potential Change |
|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock (WK) | Opener | Must perform today |
| Aiden Markram (C) | Opener | Captain under pressure |
| Tristan Stubbs | Batter | Needs to fire |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter | Unlucky dismissal last game |
| David Miller | Batter | 535 runs vs IND in T20Is |
| Donovon Ferreira | Batter | Middle-order stability |
| Marco Jansen | All-rounder | Powerplay threat |
| Corbin Bosch/Lutho Sipamla | Bowler | May bring Bosch for death overs |
| George Linde/Keshav Maharaj | Spinner | Linde could replace Maharaj |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler | Best bowler in T20I 1 (3/33) |
| Anrich Nortje | Bowler | Express pace |
South Africa might make changes. Corbin Bosch took 7 wickets in 3 T20Is last month in Pakistan. He could strengthen their death bowling. George Linde might come in to add spin variety.
IND vs SA 2nd T20 Pitch Report: What the Data Shows
Detailed Pitch Analysis
| Bowling Category | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | Fantasy Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Bowling | 98 | 25.63 | 9.22 | 16.67 | Wickets but expensive |
| Spin Bowling | 47 | 21.55 | 7.48 | 17.28 | Better economic control |
The numbers tell an interesting story. Fast bowlers have taken more wickets, which makes sense since there are more pace overs bowled. But spinners have been more economical.
This is important for your India vs South Africa 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction. Spinners are safer picks because they’re less likely to get hammered for runs.
What Kind of Pitch Is This?
It’s not a flat road where batters score 220. It’s also not a minefield where teams get bowled out for 100.
The average first innings score sits around 165-170 based on IPL data. That’s a competitive total but definitely chaseable.
Teams batting first have won 6 out of 11 IPL games here. That’s a 54.5% success rate. So batting first has a slight edge, but it’s not a huge advantage.
Key Pitch Characteristics:
- Both pace and spin get some help
- Batting isn’t extremely difficult
- Bowlers who stick to good lines do well
- Death overs are crucial
- No extreme dew to worry about
For your IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Pitch Report, this means balanced team selection works best. Don’t go too heavy on just batters or just bowlers.
Why This Venue Matters for Fantasy?
This is the first men’s international here. Players haven’t played on this exact pitch in this format before. That creates some uncertainty.
But we do have one useful stat: Arshdeep Singh has 11 wickets at this ground in T20 cricket. He knows the venue well, which is a big advantage.
The IPL data gives us a baseline, but international matches sometimes play differently. The quality of bowling and batting is higher, so scores could be different.
Weather Breakdown
Temperature and Conditions
The forecast shows a clear evening with cool temperatures. No rain is expected, which is great news for completing the match.
Temperature Impact:
Cool weather actually helps fast bowlers a bit. The ball swings more in cooler conditions. Players also don’t get as tired, so fitness isn’t a major concern.
Dew Factor Analysis
This is huge for fantasy cricket. Many Indian venues have heavy dew in the second innings. That makes the ball slippery and helps batters because bowlers can’t grip properly.
But New Chandigarh is different. The stadium doesn’t have high stands that trap moisture. Previous IPL matches haven’t shown significant dew impact.
What This Means:
Spinners stay effective throughout the match. If you pick Varun Chakravarthy or Axar Patel, they won’t suddenly become useless in the second innings.
Pace bowlers at the death remain valuable. Usually, dew makes death bowling harder, but that’s not a major concern here.
Batting first doesn’t automatically become a disadvantage. The toss isn’t as crucial as at other venues.
For your ind vs sa 2nd t20 dream11 prediction today match, this means you can confidently pick bowlers without worrying about them getting destroyed by dew in the second innings.
Fantasy Strategy: What Numbers Say
Captain Choices
Option 1: Hardik Pandya (Safest Pick)
He’s the obvious choice for small leagues and head-to-head contests. Here’s why the numbers back him:
- Scored 290 runs vs South Africa in T20Is @ average of 41.42
- Taken 12 wickets vs South Africa @ average 32.08
- Just scored 59* off 28 balls in the first T20I
- One wicket away from historic 1,000 runs + 100 wickets milestone
- Gets points from both batting and bowling
Even if he has a quiet game with the bat, he can still get you points with the ball. That’s why he’s the safest captain for your ind vs sa 2nd t20 dream11 team prediction.
Option 2: Abhishek Sharma (High Risk, High Reward)
He struggled in the first match, which means lower ownership today. But his 2025 numbers are insane:
- 773 runs in T20Is this year
- Strike rate of 194.71
- Opens the batting (more opportunities)
If he fires, you’ll climb leaderboards quickly in grand leagues. The risk is he could fail again, giving you zero captaincy points.
Option 3: Varun Chakravarthy (Bowling Captain)
His record against South Africa is ridiculous:
- 14 wickets in just 5 innings
- Average of 11.21
- Strike rate of 8.14 (wicket every 8 balls)
South Africa’s batters struggled against him last match. They’ll struggle again. Captaining a bowler is risky because one bad over ruins everything, but Varun’s matchup is too good to ignore.
Vice-Captain Choices
- Safe VC: Jasprit Bumrah
He’s a threat in all three phases—powerplay, middle overs, and death. Bumrah’s control is world-class. Against David Miller specifically, he’s dismissed him twice in just 43 balls while giving away only 49 runs.
- Differential VC: Dewald Brevis
This is a contrarian pick. He’s South Africa’s top scorer in 2025 with 417 runs at a strike rate of 182.09. Got unlucky in the first match with that tight no-ball call.
If he plays a big innings today, having him as vice-captain could massively boost your rank. But it’s a gamble.
- Balanced VC: Tilak Varma
Two centuries against South Africa in seven innings shows he loves playing against them. He’s consistent and doesn’t fail often. Good middle-ground option.
Differential Picks (For Grand Leagues)
These are low-ownership players who could give you a ranking edge:
Marco Jansen
- Took wickets in the powerplay last match
- Can hit some runs lower down
- Against Hardik in T20Is: 36 runs off 21 balls, never dismissed
- Most people will avoid him after the loss
Lungi Ngidi
- Best South African bowler in T20I 1 (3/33)
- Has 13 wickets vs India in just 6 T20Is
- Strikes every 9 balls on average against India
- Lower ownership because of the team loss
Shivam Dube
- Batting at 7 for India
- Can explode if he gets a chance
- Very low ownership
- High risk, high reward
Corbin Bosch (If He Plays)
- Took 7 wickets in 3 T20Is in Pakistan last month
- Death bowling specialist
- Most fantasy players won’t even know if he’s in the XI
For your IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Possible 11, using 1-2 differentials can help you separate from the crowd in big contests.
Player Stats: 2025 Form and Career Numbers
| Player | Team | Runs (2025) | SR (2025) | Wickets | Economy | Fantasy Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | IND | 773 | 194.71 | – | – | Very High |
| Hardik Pandya | IND | 290 (vs SA) | 133.02 | 12 (vs SA) | 8.73 | Maximum |
| Tilak Varma | IND | – | – | – | – | High vs SA |
| Dewald Brevis | SA | 417 | 182.09 | – | – | High |
| David Miller | SA | 535 (vs IND) | 146.23 | – | – | High |
| Varun Chakravarthy | IND | – | – | 14 (vs SA) | 6.91 | Maximum |
| Jasprit Bumrah | IND | – | – | – | Elite | Maximum |
| Arshdeep Singh | IND | – | – | 47 (PP) | 8.21 | Very High |
| Lungi Ngidi | SA | – | – | 13 (vs IND) | 8.67 | High |
| Quinton de Kock | SA | 351 (vs IND) | 137.64 | – | – | High |
Head-to-Head Stats in Ranking Style
Recent Form Battle
- 1. India’s Dominance Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, India has won 27 out of 31 T20Is. That’s an 87% win rate. Incredible consistency.
- 2. South Africa’s Struggles In the same period, South Africa won only 9 out of 26 matches. That’s a 34.6% win rate. They’ve been struggling badly.
- 3. Direct H2H India has won 6 of the last 8 T20Is between these teams. South Africa managed only 2 wins.
- 4. First T20I Result India won by 124 runs—their biggest winning margin in recent times. South Africa’s 74 all out was their second-lowest T20I total ever.
Key Player Matchups
- Arshdeep Singh vs Quinton de Kock
In T20Is, Arshdeep has dismissed de Kock 4 times in just 21 balls while giving away only 19 runs. This is a nightmare matchup for de Kock.
If you pick de Kock for your IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Pitch Report team, you’re hoping he survives the first few overs against Arshdeep.
- Jasprit Bumrah vs David Miller
Bumrah has dismissed Miller twice in 43 balls across all T20s. Miller has scored 49 runs in those balls, but Bumrah clearly has the edge.
- Marco Jansen vs Hardik Pandya
In T20Is, Hardik has faced 21 balls from Jansen and scored 36 runs without getting out. This is a good matchup for Hardik. Expect him to attack Jansen if they face each other.
- Lungi Ngidi vs Shubman Gill
Ngidi has dismissed Gill twice in just 24 balls in international cricket, including in the first T20I. Gill struggles against Ngidi’s pace and bounce. This could be a problem for India’s top order.
- Venue-Specific Stats
Arshdeep Singh has 11 wickets at this ground in T20 cricket. That’s the most by any player in this match. His local knowledge is a big advantage.
Marco Jansen took wickets in the power play at Cuttack and could do it again here. The fresh pitch might help pace bowlers get early movement.
Conclusion:
India is clearly the favorite after that dominant first-match performance.
Their bowlers looked unplayable, and Hardik’s batting was simply brilliant. For Dream11, loading up on Indian players makes the most sense.
But don’t completely ignore South Africa. Players like Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, and Lungi Ngidi are quality cricketers who had one bad game.
In fantasy cricket, especially grand leagues, picking 1-2 South African players as differentials could separate your team from everyone else.
Build your team around Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy—they’re non-negotiable. Add Bumrah and Arshdeep for bowling security.
Then mix in batters like Abhishek, Tilak, and maybe Brevis for explosive potential. The pitch supports both departments, so balanced team selection works best.
India should win this match comfortably, but fantasy cricket rewards smart risks, not just backing favorites.
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