Suryakumar Yadav gives green signal to return of Gill and Pandya for India-South Africa T20I opener

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has allayed injury concerns by confirming that Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are “healthy and fit” for the five-match series against South Africa, starting on December 9, 2025, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. In the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar stressed on their easy inclusion in the team: “Right now, both of them look healthy and fit. They are in the team.” This further strengthens the squad that is already preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup, with a mix of youth and experience.

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubhman Gill suffered neck spasms during the first Test in Kolkata on 15 November—the injury forced him to leave the field after just three balls off the bowling of Simon Harmer. He was briefly hospitalized with a neck brace and carried on a stretcher for scans, due to which he missed the second Test and ODI series in Guwahati (India won 2–1). At the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, Gill underwent intensive rehab—oxygen chamber, cryo-therapy, and progressive batting practice—and made a full recovery by 6 December. “From recovery to training, this is heaven for any athlete,” Gill said, and credited the facilities for his “much better” condition. After being named vice-captain, he will play as an opening batsman, denying Sanju Samson—who was praised for his flexibility in the middle order—a chance.

Hardik Pandya, who was out of action since the Asia Cup Super Four match against Sri Lanka on September 26—where a left quadriceps injury ruled him out of the final (India’s ninth title win) and the white-ball tour of Australia—has made a strong comeback. After four weeks’ rest in the CoE, he had a stellar performance for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls (six sixes) against Punjab on 2 December, as well as bowling 1/52, helping achieve a target of 223 runs. After missing the optional net session on Monday (after Sunday’s solo session), Suryakumar praised his “big match” experience: “When he bowled with the new ball in the Asia Cup, he opened up a lot of combinations… His presence brings stability and great balance.” Pandya will replace Rinku Singh, adding to the lower-order power along with Shivam Dubey and Axar Patel.

The tour will take place across five venues: 1st T20I (9 December, Cuttack), 2nd (11 December, Mullanpur), 3rd (14 December, Dharamshala), 4th (17 December, Lucknow), 5th (19 December, Ahmedabad) – all matches will start at 7 PM IST, live telecast on Star Sports. India (unbeaten in T20Is since 2023) are eyeing preparations ahead of the World Cup; South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, is looking for its first series win on Indian soil. Team: Suryakumar (captain), Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Dubey, Patel, Jitesh/Sanju (wicketkeeper), Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, etc.

The return of Gill and Pandya gives an indication of India’s depth, which is expected to be a high-voltage opening match. As Suryakumar is eyeing versatility – “Batsmen from No. 3 to 7 can bat anywhere” – Barabati is expected to have fireworks.