The All India Men's Senior Selection Committee has picked the Indian team's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, commencing on December 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, as the Men in Blue start their heavy preparations for the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, both of whom had been away from international action, will mark their return to the squad after successfully recovering. Notably, Gill had been suffering from a neck spasm, which he faced during the recent Test against the Proteas in Kolkata. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya was away from the national side after he was hit by an injury during the side's triumphant 2025 Asia Cup.
Hardik recently made headlines after his return to 20-over cricket with a game for Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2025, as the star all-rounder played a blazing knock in his team's win. Gill's participation in the series, however, is subject to the obtainment of the fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence CoE.
