Gill and Hardik make comeback in India’s T20I squad

Following a healthy recovery, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, who had missed international competition, will make their squad comeback. Notably, Gill experienced a neck spasm during the most recent Test match in Kolkata against the Proteas. However, Hardik Pandya was absent from the national team due to an injury sustained during the team’s successful 2025 Asia Cup.

The Indian team’s squad for the forthcoming five-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa, which starts on December 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, has been selected by the All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee. Suryakumar Yadav will be the team’s captain as the Men in Blue begin their intense training for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

After returning to 20-over cricket, Hardik recently made news when he played for Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2025. The star all-rounder contributed a brilliant knock to his team’s victory.

However, Gill’s participation in the series is contingent upon receiving the BCCI Centre of Excellence’s (CoE) fitness clearance.

Speaking of the other players in the Suryakumar Yadav-led team, Abhishek Sharma, a handsome left-hander and the current top-ranked T20I batsman, is in the opening order. In addition to Pandya, who will oversee the all-rounders’ department, the names are Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. The wicketkeepers are Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma.

Along with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as the front-line spinners, the bowlers who handle the pace department are Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.

India’s team for the SA T20I series

Abshek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav (C), and Shubman Gill (VC)

The schedule, dates, locations, and times for the 2025 IND vs. SA T20I Series