Shubman Gill, the vice captain of the Indian T20I team, is making great progress and is anticipated to play again soon, perhaps for the forthcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa that starts on December 9. It is hoped that the Indian Test and ODI skipper, who is now recovering at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, will soon be cleared to return to the national team after impressing the CoE management with his physical progress.
Over the previous few days, Gill has been hitting for long stretches of time with no apparent pain. Given the physical demands of Twenty20 cricket, the selectors have been eager to evaluate not only his batting readiness but also his fielding abilities.
According to the CoE’s indications, Gill seems to have successfully checked both boxes.
Although the series’ official roster has not yet been revealed, Gill—who last played on Day 2 of the Eden Gardens Test before missing time due to neck spasms—is most likely to be included. Even though it’s unclear which games he will play again, he has a good probability of playing in the series because he was named vice-captain in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup the following year.
Within the next day or two, and even as early as Wednesday, December 3, the squad announcement is anticipated. On December 7, Gill is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar to join the Indian team. He is probably going to be available for the following games, which are scheduled for December 11 in New Chandigarh, December 14 in Dharamsala, December 17 in Lucknow, and December 19 in Ahmedabad, even if he misses the opening match in Cuttack.
India has been waging a varied multi-format assault against South Africa in the meantime. South Africa won the Test series on the road for the first time in 25 years as the hosts were defeated 2-0 in both Kolkata and Guwahati. But after a decisive victory in Ranchi thanks to Virat Kohli’s century, the impetus has changed in the white-ball leg, with India now leading the three-match ODI series 1-0. India is trying to finish the series in the second ODI in Cuttack before focussing on the T20Is.
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