India’s T20I squad for the series in South Africa will be selected on Wednesday (December 3), but the selection meeting now hinges on one big update – Shubman Gill’s fitness. The Indian Tests and ODI captain moved to the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, where he resumed the use of light nets while continuing his rehabilitation. The selectors are awaiting a crucial medical assessment, which is expected tonight or early Wednesday, before deciding whether Gill can return to lead the T20I side.
Gill is due to undergo fitness tests and although he has missed the second Test in Guwahati and the ongoing ODI series, his participation in the T20Is has not been ruled out. The possibility remains that he could be available for the final two or three games, depending on how the CoE specialists assess his recovery timetable.
The delay in naming the T20I squad appears to be related to Gill’s injury as the selection committee usually announces the ODI and T20I squads together when the series are back-to-back. It is understood that the Ajit Agarkar-led panel is awaiting permission from Bengaluru before taking a final call.
Gill was injured during India’s first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens and was briefly hospitalized in Kolkata. Although he was released the next day, he continued to feel discomfort, which ruled him out of the remaining Test and ODI series. His rehabilitation is constantly progressing since then and a clearer picture of his return will emerge in the next 24 hours. Whether he will be available for the South Africa T20Is or just the white-ball matches against New Zealand next month remains to be seen.
Tomorrow’s selection meeting should confirm the return of Hardik Pandya, who has recovered from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup in September.
Hardik proved his match-readiness in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last month when he produced a man-of-the-match performance against Punjab in his comeback game. His return will be a big boost for the side as it transitions from the ODI leg to the five-match T20I series starting on December 9.
The T20I series begins on December 9 in Cuttack, followed by matches in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19). Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India enter the series as No.1 in the T20I rankings, while South Africa are ranked fifth.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
December 2, 2025
