Team India has received a major boost ahead of the South Africa tour as Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya have been included in the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the team on Tuesday, confirming the much-anticipated comeback of both players to international cricket.
Gill, who has been appointed vice-captain for the series, will be available subject to fitness clearance. His return adds stability to India’s top order, while Hardik Pandya’s presence strengthens the all-round department as India continues preparation for the T20 World Cup.
The five-match series, scheduled from December 9 to 19, marks India’s second-last bilateral T20I assignment before the mega tournament. Following this series, India will play five T20Is against New Zealand, completing their final set of preparations ahead of the World Cup beginning in February.
India’s T20I Squad for South Africa Series:
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.