The opening T20I at Cuttack was one-sided from start to finish. India, after a shaky start at 40/2, posted a competitive total thanks to Hardik Pandya’s explosive 59 not out.
Then their bowlers absolutely destroyed South Africa, bowling them out for just 74 runs. That’s the kind of performance that crushes confidence.
Now the action moves to New Chandigarh, where the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium will host its first men’s international match.
We have IPL data from this venue—11 matches that give us solid clues about how the pitch behaves. Teams batting first have actually done well here, winning 6 out of 11 times.
India comes in riding massive momentum. They’ve won 27 of their last 31 T20Is since the World Cup Final.
South Africa, meanwhile, has managed only 9 wins from 26 matches in the same period. The form gap is enormous.
For fantasy cricket players, this match presents interesting challenges.
Do you stack your team with Indian stars who are in red-hot form? Or do you take calculated risks on South African players who are statistically due for big performances?
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 ranks every critical factor – player form, pitch conditions, head-to-head records, and matchup data to help you build winning teams backed by numbers, not just gut feeling.
India vs South Africa: Form Comparison
| Category | India | South Africa | Fantasy Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is Won (Since 2024 WC) | 27 out of 31 | 9 out of 26 | Heavy India advantage |
| Recent H2H (Last 8 games) | 6 wins | 2 wins | India dominates the matchup |
| First T20I Result | Won by 124 runs | Lost by 124 runs | Massive momentum shift |
| Top Run-Scorer 2025 | Abhishek (773 @ SR 194.71) | Brevis (417 @ SR 182.09) | Both explosive openers |
| Bowling Strike Rate | Elite (Bumrah, Varun) | Inconsistent | India’s bowlers are sharper |
| Death Bowling | Excellent | Struggled badly | Critical weakness for SA |
| All-Round Balance | Hardik + Axar + Dube | Jansen mainly | India has depth |
| Pressure Handling | Proven winners | Crumbled for 74 | Mental edge to India |
| Fantasy Safety | High-floor picks available | High-risk, high-reward | India is safer for small leagues |
Match Context: Ranking Key Questions for This Match
Let’s break down the five most important questions heading into this game, ranked by their impact on fantasy team selection.
- Rank 1: Can South Africa’s batters bounce back from 74 all out?
This is the biggest question. Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Dewald Brevis are quality players. Getting bowled out for 74 doesn’t erase their skills. But it does raise serious concerns about their confidence against India’s spin attack.
For fantasy, this creates opportunity. If South African batters have low ownership due to the first-match collapse, picking one or two could give you a differential advantage in grand leagues.
- Rank 2: Will Hardik Pandya continue his dominant form?
He looked absolutely brilliant in the first T20I. His 59 off 28 balls wasn’t just about runs—it was about timing, placement, and smart cricket on a tricky pitch. He’s one wicket away from becoming the first seamer to reach 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is.
For your ind vs sa 2nd t20 dream11 prediction today match, Hardik is the safest premium pick available. He provides value with both bat and ball.
- Rank 3: Can Varun Chakravarthy continue his dominance over South Africa?
His numbers against South Africa are ridiculous—14 wickets in just 5 innings at an average of 11.21. South African batters clearly struggle to pick his variations. On a pitch that historically helps spinners maintain economy, he could run through their lineup again.
- Rank 4: How will the new venue affect both teams?
Neither team has played an international match here before. That levels the playing field slightly. But Arshdeep Singh has 11 wickets at this ground in T20 cricket, which gives him local knowledge.
- Rank 5: Will South Africa make tactical changes to their XI?
They might bring in Corbin Bosch for better death bowling or George Linde to strengthen spin options. If Bosch plays, he becomes an interesting low-ownership fantasy pick since he took 7 wickets in 3 T20Is last month.
Possible Playing XIs
India’s Expected Lineup
| Batting Position | Player Name | Role | 2025 T20I Stats | Fantasy Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | Opener | 773 runs @ SR 194.71 | 9.0 |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | Opener | Form concerns | 8.5 |
| 3 | Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Batter | Avg 15.07 in 2025 | 9.0 |
| 4 | Tilak Varma | Batter | 2 tons vs SA | 8.5 |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Keeper-Batter | Lower-order power | 8.0 |
| 6 | Hardik Pandya | All-rounder | 59* in T20I 1 | 9.5 |
| 7 | Shivam Dube | All-rounder | Batting depth | 8.0 |
| 8 | Axar Patel | Spin all-rounder | vs RHB specialist | 8.5 |
| 9 | Arshdeep Singh | Pace bowler | 47 PP wickets | 8.5 |
| 10 | Varun Chakravarthy | Spinner | 14 wkts vs SA | 8.5 |
| 11 | Jasprit Bumrah | Pace bowler | Death specialist | 9.0 |
India won by 124 runs, so they won’t change anything. The combination worked perfectly.
South Africa’s Expected Lineup
| Batting Position | Player Name | Role | Key Stats | Fantasy Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinton de Kock (WK) | Keeper-Opener | 351 runs vs IND | 9.0 |
| 2 | Aiden Markram (C) | Captain-Opener | Avg 21.50 as skipper | 8.5 |
| 3 | Tristan Stubbs | Batter | Middle-order aggressor | 8.0 |
| 4 | Dewald Brevis | Batter | 417 runs in 2025 | 8.5 |
| 5 | David Miller | Batter | 535 runs vs IND (most) | 9.0 |
| 6 | Donovon Ferreira | Batter | Finisher role | 8.0 |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | All-rounder | PP wicket-taker | 8.5 |
| 8 | Corbin Bosch/Lutho Sipamla | Pace bowler | Possible change | 8.0 |
| 9 | George Linde/Keshav Maharaj | Spinner | Possible change | 8.0 |
| 10 | Lungi Ngidi | Pace bowler | 3/33 in T20I 1 | 8.5 |
| 11 | Anrich Nortje | Express pacer | Pace and bounce | 8.5 |
South Africa might make 1-2 changes. Corbin Bosch could replace Sipamla for better death bowling. George Linde might come in for Keshav Maharaj to add left-arm spin variety.
Pitch & Ground Report: Complete Analysis
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium Statistics
| Pitch Characteristic | Data Point | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 11 games | Decent sample size |
| First Innings Average | 165-170 runs | Competitive but not flat |
| Batting First Wins | 6 out of 11 (54.5%) | Slight advantage |
| Batting Second Wins | 5 out of 11 (45.5%) | Chaseable targets |
| Highest Score | Not disclosed | Moderate-paced pitch |
| Lowest Score | Not disclosed | Bowlers get help |
| Dew Factor | Minimal impact | No high stands |
Bowling Performance Breakdown
| Bowling Type | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | Fantasy Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace Bowling | 98 | 25.63 | 9.22 | 16.67 | Wickets but expensive |
| Spin Bowling | 47 | 21.55 | 7.48 | 17.28 | Better economy rates |
The numbers clearly favor spinners in terms of economy. They’ve been harder to score against. This is crucial for your IND vs SA 2nd T20 2025 Dream11 Prediction Pitch Report strategy.
Fast bowlers have taken more wickets overall, but they’ve also been more expensive. Their economy of 9.22 means they’re leaking runs even when taking wickets.
Spinners, on the other hand, have an economy of just 7.48. That’s excellent control. Even if they don’t take wickets in a particular match, they won’t destroy your fantasy points with expensive spells.
What Type of Pitch Is This?
Based on IPL history, this isn’t an extreme pitch. It’s not a batting paradise where teams score 220, nor is it a bowler’s dream where teams get bowled out for 120.
Key Pitch Behaviors:
- Even bounce, not variable
- Some turns are available for spinners
- Pace bowlers get early movement
- Death overs are crucial
- Batting gets easier as you settle in
- Chase is very possible
For your India vs South Africa 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction, this means balanced team composition works best. Don’t load up on 5 batters or 5 bowlers. A 3-3-2-3 or 3-4-2-2 combination makes sense.
Venue-Specific Player Advantage
Arshdeep Singh has 11 wickets at this ground in T20s. That’s significant. He understands the pitch behavior, knows which lengths work, and has local knowledge.
This makes him almost a must-pick for fantasy teams, especially at 8.5 credits. His powerplay wickets plus venue familiarity create a powerful combination.
Weather Impact on Pacers & Spinners
Temperature and Playing Conditions
The forecast shows a clear, cool evening. The temperature will be comfortable—neither too hot nor too cold. These are ideal playing conditions.
How Weather Affects Different Bowlers:
- Fast Bowlers: Cool weather helps swing bowlers. The ball moves more in the air when temperatures drop. Arshdeep Singh and Lungi Ngidi, who both swing the new ball, could benefit.
The downside? Cool weather doesn’t help reverse swing much. So late-innings reverse swing won’t be a major factor.
- Spin Bowlers: Temperature doesn’t affect spin bowling as much as it affects pace. But cooler weather means the pitch won’t get excessively dry and dusty, which could limit extreme turn.
Still, the pitch’s natural characteristics matter more than the weather for spinners here.
Dew Analysis: Why It’s Important
Dew is a huge factor at many Indian grounds. It makes the ball wet and slippery, which destroys bowlers—especially spinners—in the second innings.
But New Chandigarh is different. The stadium structure doesn’t trap moisture the way bigger stadiums with high stands do. Previous IPL matches haven’t shown a significant dew impact.
Fantasy Implications:
You can confidently pick spinners without worrying they’ll become useless in the second innings. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel won’t suddenly go for 50 runs in their 4 overs because of dew.
Death bowlers remain effective throughout. Usually, dew makes yorkers and slower balls harder to execute. That’s not a major concern here.
For your ind vs sa 2nd t20 dream11 team prediction, this is great news. Your bowling picks won’t suddenly become liabilities based on which team bats first.
Dream11 Picks: Complete Rankings (Rank 1 to 15)
Let me rank the top 15 fantasy picks for this match based on form, matchup, price, and expected impact.
Rank 1: Hardik Pandya (All-rounder, 9.5 credits)
Why #1:
- Just scored 59* off 28 balls
- Two-way points (bat + ball)
- 290 runs and 12 wickets vs SA in T20Is
- One wicket away from 1,000 runs/100 wickets milestone
- Must-have in every team
Rank 2: Varun Chakravarthy (Bowler, 8.5 credits)
Why #2:
- 14 wickets vs SA in 5 innings
- Average of 11.21 against them
- Strike rate of 8.14 vs SA
- South African batters can’t read him
- Best bowler pick available
Rank 3: Jasprit Bumrah (Bowler, 9.0 credits)
Why #3:
- Threat in all three phases
- Death bowling specialist
- Looked sharp in T20I 1
- vs David Miller: 2 dismissals in 43 balls
- Premium but worth it
Rank 4: Abhishek Sharma (Batter, 9.0 credits)
Why #4:
- 773 runs in 2025 @ SR 194.71
- Opens batting (more opportunities)
- Failed in T20I 1 (lower ownership today)
- Explosive captaincy option
- High ceiling for grand leagues
Rank 5: Arshdeep Singh (Bowler, 8.5 credits)
Why #5:
- 47 powerplay wickets for India
- 11 wickets at this venue in T20s
- vs QdK: 4 dismissals in 21 balls
- Local knowledge advantage
- Excellent value
Rank 6: Quinton de Kock (Wicketkeeper, 9.0 credits)
Why #6:
- 351 runs vs India @ avg 39.00
- Opens batting
- Failed in T20I 1 (due for big score)
- 4 fifties in 11 innings vs IND
- Risky but high upside
Rank 7: Tilak Varma (Batter, 8.5 credits)
Why #7:
- 2 centuries vs SA in 7 innings
- Consistent performer
- Loves playing against South Africa
- Safe middle-order pick
- Good value at 8.5 credits
Rank 8: Dewald Brevis (Batter, 8.5 credits)
Why #8:
- 417 runs in 2025 @ SR 182.09
- Unlucky dismissal in T20I 1
- South Africa’s best batter this year
- Differential pick for grand leagues
- Bounceback candidate
Rank 9: David Miller (Batter, 9.0 credits)
Why #9:
- 535 runs vs IND in T20Is (most)
- SR 146.23, avg 32.81
- Experienced finisher
- Coming off a terrible match
- Risk-reward balance
Rank 10: Axar Patel (All-rounder, 8.5 credits)
Why #10:
- Can bat up the order if needed
- Effective vs right-handers
- Economy control
- Two-way points potential
- Underrated value pick
Rank 11: Lungi Ngidi (Bowler, 8.5 credits)
Why #11:
- 3/33 in T20I 1
- 13 wickets vs IND in 6 T20Is
- Strikes every 9 balls vs India
- Swing threat + death variations
- Best South African bowler
Rank 12: Marco Jansen (All-rounder, 8.5 credits)
Why #12:
- Powerplay wicket-taker
- Lower-order batting
- vs Hardik: 36 runs without dismissal
- Differential all-rounder
- Risky but useful
Rank 13: Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper, 8.0 credits)
Why #13:
- Budget keeper option
- Lower-order power hitter
- Explosive when set
- Less consistent
- Good for budget balancing
Rank 14: Shivam Dube (All-rounder, 8.0 credits)
Why #14:
- Batting depth at #7
- Can explode if he gets going
- Very low ownership
- Extreme differential
- High risk, high reward
Rank 15: Anrich Nortje (Bowler, 8.5 credits)
Why #15:
- Express pace threat
- Can take wickets any time
- Inconsistent economy
- Differential for grand leagues
- Boom-or-bust pick
Best Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
Captain Options (Ranked)
Option 1: Hardik Pandya (2x Points)
The safest captain choice for small leagues and head-to-heads.
Stats Supporting This:
- Average 41.42 vs South Africa
- Strike rate 133.02 vs South Africa
- 12 wickets vs South Africa @ avg 32.08
- Just scored 59* in T20I 1
- Two-way points guarantee
Even if Hardik has an average batting day, he’ll probably bowl 2-3 overs and might pick up a wicket. That’s a safe captain floor.
Option 2: Abhishek Sharma (2x Points)
High-risk, high-reward captain for grand leagues.
Stats Supporting This:
- 773 runs in 2025 (most for India)
- Strike rate 194.71 (explosive)
- Opens batting (maximum overs)
- Lower ownership after first-match failure
If Abhishek scores 60-70 runs, you’ll shoot up leaderboards because most people will captain Hardik instead.
Option 3: Varun Chakravarthy (2x Points)
Bowling captain for those who want something different.
Stats Supporting This:
- 14 wickets vs SA in 5 innings
- Average 11.21 vs SA
- SR 8.14 vs SA (wicket every 8 balls)
- South African batters struggle against him
The risk with bowling captains is that one bad over can ruin everything. But Varun’s matchup is too good to ignore completely.
Vice-Captain Options (Ranked)
- Option 1: Jasprit Bumrah
Safe VC who works in all three match phases. His economy is always under control, and he picks up wickets regularly.
- Option 2: Dewald Brevis
Differential VC for grand leagues. If he plays a big knock (which he’s capable of), you’ll gain massive ranking boosts while others have safer VCs.
- Option 3: Tilak Varma
Middle-ground option. Two centuries vs SA means he’s proven against them. Less risky than Brevis but still offers good upside.
High-Risk Picks Explained
Let’s talk about picks that could either win you the contest or completely flop.
High-Risk Pick 1: Suryakumar Yadav
The Case For:
- Captain of India
- Five 50+ scores in 11 innings vs SA
- Can single-handedly win matches
The Case Against:
- Averaging only 15.07 in 2025
- Out of form all year
- Expensive at 9.0 credits
- Better options available
Verdict: Skip him unless you’re making multiple teams.
High-Risk Pick 2: Shubman Gill
The Case For:
- Quality player
- Opens batting
- Due for a big score
The Case Against:
- Lungi Ngidi has dismissed him twice in 24 balls
- Struggled in T20I 1
- Not looking comfortable
Verdict: Too risky given the Ngidi matchup.
High-Risk Pick 3: Corbin Bosch (If Selected)
The Case For:
- 7 wickets in 3 T20Is last month
- Death bowling specialist
- Extremely low ownership
The Case Against:
- Might not even play
- Unproven against top teams
- South Africa is under pressure
Verdict: Only for grand leagues if he’s confirmed in the XI.
High-Risk Pick 4: Aiden Markram
The Case For:
- Captain of South Africa
- Quality top-order batter
The Case Against:
- Averages only 21.50 as T20I captain
- Under massive pressure after a 124-run loss
- Averages 38.50 when not the captain
Verdict: His captaincy record is concerning. Avoid.
Stats To Remember Before Making a Team
| Matchup/Stat | Details | Fantasy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep vs de Kock (T20Is) | 21 balls, 19 runs, 4 wickets | Heavy advantage Arshdeep |
| Bumrah vs Miller (T20s) | 43 balls, 49 runs, 2 dismissals | Bumrah dominates |
| Jansen vs Hardik (T20Is) | 21 balls, 36 runs, 0 wickets | Hardik handles Jansen well |
| Ngidi vs Gill (Internationals) | 24 balls, 2 dismissals | Ngidi has Gill’s number |
| India’s Recent Record | 27-4 since T20 WC Final | Overwhelming favorites |
| SA’s Recent Record | 9-17 since T20 WC Final | Struggling badly |
| Varun vs SA Record | 14 wkts @ 11.21 avg, SR 8.14 | Complete dominance |
| Hardik’s Milestone | 1 wicket away from 1000/100 | Motivated for wickets |
| Batting First at Venue | 6 wins out of 11 (54.5%) | Slight advantage |
| Dew Factor | Minimal impact | Bowlers safe to pick |
| Abhishek’s 2025 Form | 773 runs @ SR 194.71 | Elite opening option |
| Brevis’s 2025 Form | 417 runs @ SR 182.09 | SA’s best batter |
| T20I 1 Result | India won by 124 runs | Massive momentum |
| Arshdeep at Venue | 11 wickets in T20s | Local knowledge |
Conclusion:
India’s dominance makes its core players the safest fantasy options. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah are must-haves in almost every team format.
Abhishek Sharma offers captaincy upside despite his first-match failure, while Arshdeep’s venue knowledge makes him excellent value.
From South Africa, Dewald Brevis and Lungi Ngidi provide the best differential options.
Quinton de Kock is risky but could deliver massive returns if he survives the Arshdeep threat early on.
The pitch supports both batting and bowling without extreme behavior, making balanced team selection optimal.
India should win comfortably, but fantasy cricket rewards calculated risks – picking 1-2 South African players in the right positions could give you the edge needed to top leaderboards in large contests.
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