Dec 3 — Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been sidelined since September due to injury, has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa. Meanwhile, team management is awaiting Shubman Gill’s fitness confirmation before finalizing his participation, the BCCI announced on Wednesday.
Gill, currently leading India in Test and ODI formats, sustained a neck injury during the opening Test against South Africa last month. The setback ruled him out of both the remaining Test matches and the ODI series that followed.
Now undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Gill will need medical clearance before being permitted to join the T20 squad. The 26-year-old has already represented India in 33 T20 internationals.
Pandya showcased his return to form in domestic cricket on Tuesday, smashing 77 off 42 balls and helping Baroda secure a seven-wicket victory over Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — a performance that strengthened his case for selection.
However, Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar, who featured in India’s T20 setup during the Australia tour earlier this year, were not included in the 15-member lineup for the South Africa series.
The five-match T20I contest starts on December 9 in Cuttack and will wrap up on December 19 in Ahmedabad.
India Squad for South Africa T20 Series
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Shubman Gill
Abhishek Sharma
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dube
Axar Patel
Jitesh Sharma
Sanju Samson
Jasprit Bumrah
Varun Chakaravarthy
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Harshit Rana
Washington Sundar
*Subject to fitness clearance.
