Hardik Pandya Likely to Make T20I Comeback vs South Africa; Shubman Gill’s Return Still Doubtful
While Hardik Pandya is all set to make an international return after rehabilitation, Shubman Gill may miss the action again owing to concerns about his injury
Squad Plans Taking Shape Ahead of the Series
Hardik Pandya has got full fitness clearance after undergoing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, paving the way for a T20I return against South Africa. He has been ruled out of action since injuring his left quadriceps during the 2025 Asia Cup. However, doctors have given him the clearance to return to bowling. Before joining the national setup, Pandya will take part in a few domestic outings to check on his match readiness.
As part of this buildup, Pandya is expected to represent Baroda in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His performances in these matches against teams like Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana will help selectors gauge his rhythm with both bat and ball. Given that there is an upcoming five-match T20I series, his inclusion will go a long way in strengthening India’s balance and depth.
The status of Shubman Gill also remains unclear. The top-order batter is yet to recover from the neck injury he sustained during the Test series against South Africa. While he is set to start specific rehabilitation at the CoE from December 1, early reports indicate the injury is possibly nerve-related and he is unlikely to make it back anytime soon.
While Pandya’s return offers promising reinforcement ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup preparations, Gill’s availability remains in the balance. Medical experts are yet to give a final clearance of fitness, which leaves his participation in the T20I series at about a “50-50” probability.
