 "Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are set for Team India comebacks in T20I series vs South Africa. Images: PTI/Cricket Odisha")
Shubman Gill is set to return to the Indian team after he arrived in Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday for the first T20I against South Africa. The India vs South Africa first T20I will be played at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on Tuesday (8 December).
Gill has not played for India since the first Test against the Proteas in November. He suffered a neck injury while batting in the first innings. The Indian T20I side vice-captain Gill was picked in the squad subject to fitness clearance, but he has now been given the full clearance by the BCCI Centre of Excellence .
Shubman Gill joins Team India in Odisha
The 26-year-old Gill underwent batting and fielding drills at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru before receiving the full clearance from the board. He is now expected to feature in the playing XI on Tuesday.
Gambhir had also confirmed after the ODI series victory over South Africa that Gill would be playing in the T20Is. “Yes, Shubman is ready to start. That’s why he has been selected. He is fit, fine, and hungry to go,” the India coach said.
According to reports, Gill reached Bhubaneswar by 9 PM on Sunday. As he wasn’t a part of the ODI squad, he came alone to the city, while most players from the India and South African teams arrived through a chartered flight from Visakhapatnam.
Hardik Pandya trains at Barabati Stadium
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was seen practising at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday as he prepares for a comeback to international cricket. Hardik has not played for India since the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match vs Sri Lanka in September.
He had been out of action for a while due to a left quadriceps injury, but made a comeback to competitive cricket in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this month, playing two matches for Baroda. He scored 77 not out and 10 respectively against Punjab and Gujarat.