‘We gave a lot of chances…’, know about which player the captain gave this statement before the T20I series?

Suryakumar Yadav News: Ahead of the first match of the T20I series against South Africa, India captain Suryakumar Yadav welcomed Hardik Pandya back into the team. He said that the experience of this fast bowling all-rounder gives the team a necessary and important balance in the preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup. Pandya, who has played 120 matches for India in the shortest format, has returned to the T20I squad after recovering from a quadriceps injury suffered during the Asia Cup in UAE in September.

He has already shown good form in the matches he has played for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was one of the first to reach the nets in India’s practice session at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday.

Apart from him, India is also welcoming vice-captain Shubman Gill, who has recovered from a neck injury suffered during the Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata last month.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav said, “Both are looking healthy and fit. They have come with the team. You also saw in the Asia Cup that when they started bowling with the new ball, they opened up a lot of options and combinations for us in terms of playing eleven.

‘His presence will give good balance to the team’

“So that’s what he brings and his experience is very valuable. He has performed well in many good matches, big matches and also in ICC and ACC events. So that experience matters a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the team,” Suryakumar said in the pre-match press conference on Monday.

Gill’s return to open the batting alongside in-form Abhishek Sharma will add some spark to India’s preparations for the big event. Suryakumar also told how India, instead of keeping Sanju Samson as the opener, has now selected Gill for that slot. Since Gill’s inclusion, Samson has been batting either at number five or number three.

Therefore Shubman deserves that place…

“In Sanju’s case, when he came on the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now the thing is that apart from the openers, everyone has to be very flexible. When he opened the innings he did very well, but Shubman had played in the Sri Lanka series before him and hence he deserved that place.

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We gave a lot of chances to Sanju…

“But we have given a lot of opportunities to Sanju – he is willing to bat at any number, which is good to see – any player who is willing and flexible to bat anywhere from number three to six. I have told other batsmen apart from the openers that you have to be flexible to bat.

“So, both are in the plan – it is great to have players like him in the squad. One can open, the other can bat lower down the order – even both can play all the roles. So he is a good asset for our team and a good headache too,” he said.

The first T20 will be played in Cuttack tomorrow

The five-match T20I series between India and South Africa is going to start from Tuesday (December 9, 2025). The first match of this series will be played at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. The audience is eagerly waiting for this explosive opening match. South Africa’s India tour is currently tied at 1-1, with the Proteas defeating India in the Test and the hosts responding with a spectacular ODI series win. Now India is experimenting before the 2026 T20 World Cup, this match will set the tone for December which is going to be a tremendous match.

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