Get the ultimate IND vs SA 4th T20 Dream11 prediction. We analyze the Ekana pitch, weather, confirmed playing XIs, and winning fantasy strategies for the Lucknow showdown.
The caravan of the South Africa tour of India 2025 moves to the “City of Nawabs,” Lucknow, for the crucial 4th T20I. With the series hanging in the balance, both teams have everything to play for at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
For fantasy managers, Lucknow is always a tricky venue. Unlike the batting paradises we often see in India, the Ekana Stadium tests a batter’s technique and a bowler’s patience. Whether you are backing India’s young guns like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma or South Africa’s power-packed middle order, getting your combination right for this specific pitch is the key to winning big. Let’s break down the stats, conditions, and the smartest picks for this match.
Match Details
| Category | Details |
| Match Number | 4th T20I, South Africa tour of India 2025 |
| Teams | India (IND) vs South Africa (SA) |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Date & Time | Today, 7:00 PM LOCAL (1:30 PM GMT) |
| Format | T20 International |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network & JioHotstar |
Pitch Report: Ekana Cricket Stadium
| Factor | Status |
| Pitch Nature | Balanced / Spin-assist |
| Spin vs Pace | Spinners dominate middle overs |
| Avg 1st Innings | 150-160 |
| Avg 2nd Innings | 135-145 |
| Boundaries | Large square boundaries, decent straights |
| Toss Impact | Batting first is generally preferred |
Fantasy Insight:
The Ekana surface is famously known for gripping. The ball doesn’t come onto the bat as easily as it does in Mumbai or Bangalore. Fantasy users should focus on “technical” batters who can rotate strike and spinners who bowl wicket-to-wicket. Pacers with good slower balls (cutters) are also gold mines here.
Weather Update
| Parameter | Forecast |
| Temperature | 22°C (Cool Evening) |
| Rain Chance | 0% (Clear Skies) |
| Humidity | 55% |
| Wind Speed | 10 km/h |
| Dew Factor | Moderate |
Weather Summary:
It’s a pleasant evening in Lucknow. The dew might settle in later, which could make gripping the ball slightly harder for spinners in the second innings, but don’t expect a wet outfield to completely change the game.
Last 5 Matches Results
India (IND)
| Result | Margin | Opponent |
| Won | 7 wickets | South Africa |
| Lost | 51 runs | South Africa |
| Won | 101 runs | South Africa |
| Won | Super Over | Sri Lanka |
| Won | 7 wickets | Sri Lanka |
Form Guide: India’s young brigade has been fearless, but their middle-order consistency on slow tracks is still being tested.
South Africa (SA)
| Result | Margin | Opponent |
| Lost | 20 runs | India |
| Won | 5 wickets | India |
| Lost | 45 runs | India |
| Won | 3 wickets | West Indies |
| Lost | 10 runs | West Indies |
Form Guide: The Proteas are relying heavily on their top order. If QDK or Markram fall early, they tend to struggle against spin.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Records
| Stat | Record |
| Total Matches | 31 |
| India Wins | 17 |
| South Africa Wins | 13 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Highest Score | 237 (India) |
| Lowest Score | 87 (South Africa) |
| Top Run Scorer | David Miller |
| Top Wicket Taker | Kuldeep Yadav |
H2H Summary:
India generally holds the upper hand at home, especially on turning tracks where South African batters historically struggle.
Ground Stats (T20Is)
| Stat | Number |
| Total Matches | 9 |
| Wins Batting 1st | 6 |
| Wins Chasing | 3 |
| Avg Powerplay | 42 |
| Avg Death Overs | 45 |
| Highest Total | 199/2 |
| Lowest Total | 99/8 |
Venue Note:
This is a “defendable” venue. A score of 165 is match-winning. Fantasy teams should prioritize bowlers from the team bowling second if the score is decent.
Chasing Records
| Category | Stats |
| Batting 1st Win % | 66% |
| Chasing Win % | 34% |
| Trend | Struggle to score freely later |
| Dew Factor | Can aid chasing slightly |
Chasing Verdict:
History suggests putting runs on the board is the safer bet. The pitch tends to slow down, making slog overs difficult for the chasing side.
Team News & Updates
- India: Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to play together given the spin-friendly conditions. Abhishek Sharma will continue to open. No new injuries reported.
- South Africa: Quinton de Kock remains the key at the top. They might bring in an extra spinner like Keshav Maharaj or George Linde replacing a pacer if the pitch looks very dry. Dewald Brevis is expected to keep his spot.
Probable Playing XI
India
- Abhishek Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Hardik Pandya
- Sanju Samson (wk) / Jitesh Sharma
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel / Varun Chakaravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah / Harshit Rana
South Africa
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Reeza Hendricks
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Dewald Brevis
- Tristan Stubbs
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Gerald Coetzee / Corbin Bosch
- Keshav Maharaj
- Lungi Ngidi
- Ottneil Baartman
Dream11 Prediction Section
Small League Team Picks (Safe)
- Hardik Pandya: Provides 4 overs and crucial finishing runs.
- Varun Chakaravarthy: A mystery spinner on a Lucknow track is a must-have.
- Quinton de Kock: The most experienced batter against spin in the SA camp.
Grand League Strategy (Risky)
- Captain Kuldeep Yadav: If the pitch turns, he could easily rip through the SA middle order.
- Drop Suryakumar Yadav: A bold call, but if he tries to attack early on a sticky wicket, he might mistime one.
- Pick Dewald Brevis: “Baby AB” has the game to disrupt lengths; low ownership makes him a great differential.
Player Categories
| Category | Players |
| Safe Picks | H Pandya, A Markram, Q de Kock |
| Risky Picks | D Brevis, A Sharma, L Ngidi |
| Must-Have | V Chakaravarthy, K Yadav |
| Budget Picks | T Varma, C Bosch |
Key Player Analysis
- Abhishek Sharma (Bat): Explosive but risky. He attacks from ball one. In Lucknow, he might either score a quick 30 or perish in the first over.
- Hardik Pandya (All-Rounder): His cutters will be very effective here. Expect him to bowl in the middle phase and death.
- Varun Chakaravarthy (Bowl): Currently in red-hot form. His googly is unreadable for many Proteas batters.
- Aiden Markram (All-Rounder): Don’t forget his off-spin. On this track, he might bowl 2-3 handy overs against India’s left-handers (Tilak, Abhishek).
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
- Win Probability: India (60%) | South Africa (40%)
- Comparison: India’s spin attack is far superior and better suited for these conditions.
- Key Factor: How well South Africa plays spin in the overs 7-15.
Final Prediction: India to win a close, low-scoring thriller.
Final Dream11 Team
(Based on the “Rohit Budakoti XI” strategy and venue demands)
- WK: Quinton de Kock
- Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Dewald Brevis
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya (VC), Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav (C), Varun Chakaravarthy, Lungi Ngidi
FAQs
Q1: Who will win today’s IND vs SA 4th T20?
India is the favorite due to their superior spin attack which suits the Lucknow surface.
Q2: What is the best Dream11 team for today?
Focus on all-rounders and spinners. A team with Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Aiden Markram forms a solid base.
Q3: Is the Lucknow pitch batting or bowling friendly?
It is generally bowling-friendly, supporting spinners and slow bowlers. High scores are rare.
Q4: Who is the best Captain for Small Leagues?
Hardik Pandya or Aiden Markram are the safest choices due to their dual roles.
Q5: Will rain affect the match?
No, the forecast is clear with zero chance of rain.
Q6: Is Sanju Samson playing?
He is in the squad but his spot depends on team combination; check the toss update.
