Shubman Gill has touched down in Bhubaneswar, signaling his readiness to rejoin the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, starting December 9 in Cuttack. Gill, the T20I vice-captain, is eager to get back into action after recovering from a neck injury.
Gill’s availability was confirmed by India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who stated that the young batsman is "fit, fine, and hungry to go". Gambhir's statement came after India's victory in the third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam.
Gill sustained a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata last month, forcing him to retire hurt on the second day. He was hospitalized for a couple of days and received an injection to ease the inflammation and pain. The injury also kept him out of the second Test in Guwahati and the entire ODI series. Despite the setback, Gill was determined to play, even traveling to Guwahati for the second Test, although he ultimately couldn't participate.
Following his injury, Gill underwent an extensive rehabilitation program at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The program included mobility restoration, strength training, and batting load assessment, following the BCCI's Return To Play (RTP) protocol. Medical officials closely monitored his recovery, and the results were deemed "successful and satisfactory". The CoE issued a formal communication to the team management's Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) team, confirming that Gill had met all the necessary criteria to be declared fit for all formats of the game.
Gill's return is a significant boost for the Indian team. His presence adds stability and experience to the top order. Gill is likely to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma in the T20I series. While Gill has been a consistent performer in Tests and ODIs, he is yet to replicate that success in T20Is. In 12 T20I innings, he has scored 259 runs at an average of 28.77 with a strike rate of 143, with a highest score of 47.
The T20I series against South Africa is crucial for India as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. Gautam Gambhir has emphasized the importance of fitness for the team, stating that it directly impacts their mental strength during pressure situations. He has also expressed his concerns about the team's current fitness levels, aiming for improvement before the World Cup.
Alongside Gill, Hardik Pandya has also returned to the T20I squad after recovering from an injury. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in the series.
Most of the players from both the Indian and South African teams have already arrived in Bhubaneswar for the series. The first T20I is scheduled to be held in Cuttack on December 9, followed by matches in Mullanpur, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.
