Ahead of the first T20I match against South Africa, Team India`s captain <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-aus-2nd-t20i-suryakumar-yadav-heaps-praise-on-abhishek-sharma-23601111" rel="nofollow">Suryakumar Yadav</a> has provided updates on the fitness of Shubman Gill and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
The skipper said both of them look "fit and healthy".
"Right now, both of them look healthy and fit. They are in the team," said Yadav in the pre-match press conference.
The first T20I match between Team India and South Africa will be played on Tuesday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Mullanpur will host the second T20I between India and South Africa on Thursday.
The third <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/ind-vs-sa-1st-t20i-from-shubman-gill-return-to-india-south-africa-rivalry-dale-steyn-picks-three-exciting-points-108603" rel="nofollow">T20I</a> will be played at Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14, followed by the fourth on December 17 in Lucknow. Ahmedabad will host the fifth and final match of the series on December 19.
Gill was ruled out of the second Test match and three-match ODI series against South Africa due to the neck injury that he sustained in the first Test. Later, he was hospitalised and completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI`s Centre of Excellence.
On the other hand, Pandya suffered a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025. Following the injury, he missed out on Australia`s white-ball tour. The all-rounder then proved his fitness by featuring in the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-yashasvi-jaiswal-to-join-mumbai-squad-23606723" rel="nofollow">Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy</a> for Baroda.
Yadav said that considering Pandya`s experience, his inclusion in the squad will definitely provide a good balance.
"What you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he [Hardik] was bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI. That`s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done well in all big games, all <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/mitchell-starc-reigns-supreme-in-icc-knockouts-passes-shami-record-105892/1" rel="nofollow">ICC</a> events, and ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side," he stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
India`s squad for T20I series against South Africa: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
(With ANI Inputs)

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