The selectors will announce the T20I squad on Wednesday.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to return to T20Is when the selectors announce the squad for the five-match series against South Africa on Wednesday (December 3). Meanwhile, India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill’s availability remains uncertain, ESPNCricinfo reported.
According to the report, Gill’s fitness is expected to be a key discussion point for the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee when they assemble in Raipur, the venue for India’s second ODI against South Africa, to pick the squad.
If Gill misses out, Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal are the leading contenders to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Samson was part of the recent T20I tour of Australia but played only two of the five games, batting just once at No. 3, whereas Jaiswal was not considered in that squad.
Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first innings of the Kolkata Test against South Africa last month. The injury forced him to retire hurt and he wasn’t able to take further part in the match. The captain was also ruled out of the Guwahati Test which India lost to go down 2-0 in the series and has been absent from the ongoing three-match ODI series against Proteas.
As per the report, Gill is dealing with a pinched nerve. The initial assessment by the BCCI medical team suggests that he requires at least five weeks of rest before he can resume training again. He reached the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Monday (December 1) to continue his rehabilitation.
The selectors might consider Riyan Parag in the 15-member T20I squad. Parag last appearance for India was in the 2024 T20I series against Bangladesh, is currently leading Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Both the selectors and the team management will be encouraged by Hardik Pandya’s smooth return to competitive action as he powered Baroda to a win over Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday (December 2) after recovering from the left quadricep injury he suffered during the Asia Cup 2025 in September.
In his comeback match, Hardik picked one wicket by conceding 52 runs in four overs and slammed match-winning 77*.
The five-T20I series between India and South Africa is slated to get underway on December 9 in Cuttack, followed by matches in New Chandigarh on December 11, Dharamsala on December 14, Lucknow on December 17, and Ahmedabad on December 19.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)