Overview
- Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya have been passed fit, Jasprit Bumrah returns after ODI rest, and the pacer is one wicket from becoming the first Indian with 100 wickets in each international format.
- Barabati Stadium’s surface has been relaid with red soil and is expected to offer bounce and runs, with dew likely later in the evening and a small chance of light rain influencing a bowl-first toss call.
- Broadcast details include Star Sports with JioHotstar streaming in India and exclusive live coverage on Willow TV in the United States, available via Fubo.
- Team management views this series as a selection proving ground, with decisions looming on the wicketkeeper-finisher role, the No. 4–7 batting core, and the death-bowling partner to Bumrah.
- South Africa arrive with Aiden Markram as captain, David Miller back in the T20I squad and Anrich Nortje returning, and they hold a 2–0 T20I record over India in Cuttack as local officials heighten security after past crowd incidents.