Gautam Gambhir provides a massive update on Shubman Gill's availability for IND vs SA 2025 T20Is

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Shubman Gill has been declared fit for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The Men in Blue will take on the Proteas in the T20I series from December 9 to 19.

India's 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa was announced on December 3. While Gill was included in the squad, the BCCI clarified that his availability was subject to fitness clearance.

Speaking to the media after Team India's 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa on Saturday, December 6, Gambhir provided a major update on Gill's fitness and said (via ESPNcricinfo):

"Yes, Shubhman is ready to start. That's why he has been selected. And obviously he is fit and fine, hungry to go."

Gill suffered a neck injury while batting in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata last month. He fielded during the Proteas' first innings, but retired hurt after batting for only three balls. The 26-year-old was subsequently ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati, with Rishabh Pant being handed over the captaincy. India lost the Test by 408 runs to concede the series 2-0.

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Not just Shubman Gill, even Hardik Pandya returns for T20I series against South Africa

Apart from Gill's return for the T20Is, there was more good news for the hosts as seasoned all-rounder Hardik Pandya was also handed a comeback. Pandya was out of action from international cricket after suffering a niggle during the Super Four match against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. He went on to miss the final against Pakistan at the same venue.

Pandya proved his form and fitness in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, smashing 77* off 42 balls for Baroda against Punjab recently. The knock featured seven fours and four sixes as Baroda chased down a target of 223 in 19.1 overs in Hyderabad. The all-rounder also claimed 1-52 from four overs with the ball. While Pandya made a comeback to the T20I team, Rinku Singh did not find a place.

The first T20I of the India-South Africa series will be played in Cuttack on December 9. The subsequent games will be held in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19). The Men in Blue will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Gill will continue his role as vice-captain.