The Indian men’s cricket team is set to face South Africa in a five-match T20I series from December 9 to 19. Reports suggest that the BCCI selectors will announce India’s squad for the series on Wednesday. However, there are a few key players missing from the likely lineup, including Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Shubman Gill’s Absence Due to Injury
Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain in T20Is, has been sidelined since November 15 due to a neck injury. With no official update on his recovery, it’s highly unlikely that he will be part of the T20I squad. In Gill’s absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to make his return to the squad. Jaiswal, who last played a T20I in July 2024 against Sri Lanka, has been out of the T20I setup since then, and many are eager to see if he will open the innings in place of Gill.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Comeback
Jaiswal, with 723 runs in 23 T20Is, was a surprising omission from India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 and the recent T20I series in Australia. The young left-hander has been impressive in domestic cricket and could provide a solid option at the top of the order. However, it will be interesting to see if he partners with Sanju Samson, who has been a regular opener for India in T20Is.
Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant’s Wicketkeeping Roles
Samson, expected to retain his place as wicketkeeper-batter, could face competition from Rishabh Pant. If Pant is selected, Jitesh Sharma may lose his spot as the backup wicketkeeper. Pant’s inclusion will depend on the team’s balance, as the squad already has multiple wicketkeeper options.
Hardik Pandya’s Return
Hardik Pandya, who last played in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28, has made a successful return to competitive cricket with an impressive 77 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy* for Baroda. Pandya’s performance, which also included four overs with the ball, signals his full fitness ahead of the series. His return means that Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was part of the squad for the Australia series but didn’t get a chance to play, will likely be excluded from the T20I squad.
All-Rounders and Spinners in the Mix
Shivam Dube, another all-rounder, is expected to be India’s second fast-bowling option, while Axar Patel remains the first-choice spin-bowling all-rounder. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy will add depth to India’s spin department, and Washington Sundar, who impressed with both bat and ball in Australia, is likely to keep his place in the XI.
Fast Bowling Options
The fast-bowling department will include Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. With Bumrah and Arshdeep leading the charge, India’s bowling attack looks solid for the series.
Middle-Order and Rinku Singh’s Chances
In the middle order, Tilak Varma is an automatic pick, alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav. Rinku Singh, who was part of India’s squads for both the Asia Cup and the Australia series, might find it hard to secure a spot due to limited opportunities in the recent months.
India vs South Africa T20I Series Schedule
| DATE | DAY | MATCH | VENUE | TIME (IST) |
| December 9 | Tuesday | 1st T20I | Cuttack | 7:00 PM |
| December 11 | Thursday | 2nd T20I | Mullanpur | 7:00 PM |
| December 14 | Sunday | 3rd T20I | Dharamsala | 7:00 PM |
| December 17 | Wednesday | 4th T20I | Lucknow | 7:00 PM |
| December 19 | Friday | 5th T20I | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
India’s Likely Squad for the South Africa T20I Series:
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
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