In a significant development for Indian cricket, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been officially reinstated to the national squad for the upcoming Twenty20 series against South Africa following his recovery from an injury sustained in September. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member lineup on Wednesday, marking Pandya’s return after he demonstrated his match readiness with an impressive domestic performance.
Pandya silenced any doubts about his fitness during Tuesday’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match, where he delivered a powerful 77 runs from just 42 balls, leading Baroda to a decisive seven-wicket victory against Punjab. This commanding performance solidified his position in the national roster ahead of the five-match T20 series commencing December 9th in Cuttack.
The squad, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, presents several strategic selections. Notably absent are Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar, both of whom were part of India’s T20 contingent during the October-November tour of Australia. Their exclusion signals a shift in the team’s composition strategy ahead of the international showdown.
Meanwhile, opening batsman Shubman Gill’s participation remains contingent upon medical clearance. The 26-year-old, who captains India in Tests and ODIs, continues his recovery from a neck injury suffered during the first Test against South Africa last month. Gill must obtain fitness approval from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before joining the team. His potential inclusion would add significant batting strength to a lineup that includes emerging talents Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma alongside established players like Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
The T20 series against South Africa represents a crucial preparation platform for both teams, with matches scheduled across multiple venues before concluding in Ahmedabad on December 19th.