India vs South Africa: Can Men in Blue rewrite their record in Cuttack? Here’s what history says

As winter settles over Odisha, cricket fever is set to grip Cuttack once again. For fans across the state, few experiences match the thrill of watching Team India in action at the iconic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, a venue steeped in nostalgia and raw cricketing passion. Tomorrow’s clash between India and South Africa promises not just fireworks on the field, but also an electric atmosphere in the stands, the kind only Barabati can produce.

But beneath the excitement lies a compelling storyline: India’s underwhelming T20I record at this historic venue. With just one win in three T20 Internationals here, Barabati has not always been kind to the Men in Blue. 

As the two sides prepare to lock horns in what is expected to be a high-octane contest, fans are eager to see whether this star-studded Indian side, led by the in-form Suryakumar Yadav, can finally script a turnaround on this challenging ground.

A Stadium Steeped in Cricketing Legacy

Barabati Stadium has been an important landmark in India’s cricketing journey. It hosted its first international match in 1982, when England faced India in an ODI. Over the decades, it has welcomed several major white-ball contests and even hosted two Test matches before becoming a predominantly limited-overs venue.

In ODIs, the ground has hosted 20 matches, with the most recent in February 2025, again between England and India. T20I cricket arrived here in 2015.

Also Read: Barabati stadium gears up for T20; India and South Africa to hold separate practice sessions today; galleries open for fans

India’s T20I Record: A Cause for Concern

Only three T20 internationals have been played at this venue. India’s record remains underwhelming, just one win, which came against Sri Lanka in 2017. The remaining two ended in disappointing defeats.

Pitch Report: A Surface That Changes Character

Barabati’s pitch typically offers early assistance to batters with good pace and bounce. But as the match progresses, the surface slows down, making shot-making difficult. Spinners tend to dominate the middle overs, and the average T20 total at this venue falls between 160 and 180. With boundary lengths of 65–70 metres, bowlers always stay in the contest.

Team News: Big Names Return for Both Sides

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India enter the match as the World No. 1 side, fresh off a memorable series win in Australia.

India has received a major boost with the returns of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. The trio is expected to walk straight into the XI, strengthening both batting and bowling departments.

South Africa also arrived well-stacked, welcoming back veterans David Miller and Anrich Nortje, among others. Several players will also be eyeing strong performances ahead of the IPL auction on December 16.

Squads

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde

India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

With both teams at full strength and fans filling the stands, Barabati Stadium is set for a blockbuster night. Whether India can overturn their patchy record here remains the biggest storyline, and Odisha’s cricket faithful are ready to witness history unfold.