By Swastika Sahu
Indian Test and ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill is set to return in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa as vice-captain, beginning December 9, after being side-lined due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata.
Gill was said to be training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on December 1 and has been in rehabilitation at the center in Bengaluru since then, with reports from Cricbuzz indicating that the star batter has impressed the CoE managers with his progress.
According to a report in the Times of India, Gill headed to Mumbai for activity after being left out of the alternate Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The 25-year-old also had a short break with his family in Chandigarh before flying to Bengaluru on Monday. The source said that Gill didn’t encounter any neck discomfort during his recent peregrination and, for now, has stayed down from training.
“Gill has completely recovered and will return as vice captain.” BCCI’s sources confirmed.
Gill, not selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup team, is poised to take over from Suryakumar as the T20I captain following the ICC tournament. He is very likely to be India’s all-format captain in 2026.
India’s team for the five-match T20 series beginning December 9 in Cuttack was blazoned moment, with Suryakumar Yadav officially continuing as the T20I captain. Hardik Pandya also makes his comeback to the public side after proving his fitness during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
One of the biggest talking points from the advertisement is the absence of Rishabh Pant, who hasn’t been picked despite having recovered from his long injury layoff. The pickers, led by Ajit Agarkar, have chosen to stick with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as wicket-keeping options. With Hardik back, Nitish Kumar Reddy misses out.
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the fast-bowling unit, with Harshit Rana included as the third leader.
Meanwhile, sources have dismissed the claims that senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with head trainer Gautam Gambhir, will be called for a meeting by the Board to address bruited dressing-room pressures.
India will take on South Africa in five T20Is on December 9, 11, 14, 17 and 19, in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Ahmedabad independently. The platoon will be looking to strengthen its combinations and instigation ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2026.