Suryakumar Yadav named captain for India SA T20 series, Hardik, Gill in team

The BCCI has announced India’s T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa, beginning December 9 in Cuttack. The major highlights are Shubman Gill’s return – he has also been named vice-captain, pending fitness clearance – and Hardik Pandya’s comeback after a two-month injury break. Gill had suffered a neck spasm during the first test against South Africa, while Hardik was recovering from a left quadriceps injury.

Hardik returned to competitive cricket with a brilliant 77(42)* for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, confirming his strong form. Gill will join the squad once cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. With both key players available again, India will look stronger heading into the South Africa T20I challenge.

India T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Lutho Sipamla, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs

India vs South Africa T20I Series – Match Schedule
1st T20I: December 9, 7:00 PM – Cuttack
2nd T20I: December 11, 7:00 PM –New Chandigarh
3rd T20I: December 14, 7:00 PM – Dharamsala
4th T20I: December 17, 7:00 PM – Lucknow
5th T20I: December 19, 7:00 PM – Ahmedabad