Gautam Gambhir issues official statement on Shubman Gill’s comeback after ODI series win

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir provided a massive update on T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill’s availability for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa. Gambhir confirmed that Gill will be available for all five T20I matches against the Proteas, which are set to take place from December 9 to 19.

On December 3, India named their 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa. Gill was included, but his availability was subject to fitness clearance. In the T20I format, Gill is not the captain. Middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team in the series, with Gill serving as his deputy.

Shubman Gill Is Ready to Start - Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to the media after Team India's 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa. Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Shubman Gill has fully recovered. He said that Gill was selected only because he is completely fit and eager to get back on the field.

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

Gill last featured in T20Is during the five-match series against Australia. He is set to return as an opener for India in the upcoming T20Is against South Africa. Gill will partner with Abhishek Sharma at the top.

Shubman Gill Forced to Miss Second Test and ODIs After Neck Injury

Shubman Gill hurt his neck while batting in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. The right-handed batter had to retire after facing only a few balls and did not return to bat in the second innings.

The injury kept him out of the next Test in Guwahati as well. Rishabh Pant captained India in that match, which India lost by a huge margin of 408 runs and went on to lose the series 2-0.

Gill was also not selected for the three-match ODI series that followed. India still managed to win the ODI series 2-1 on December 6.

India and South Africa will now compete in a five-match T20I series. The first match will be played in Cuttack on December 9, followed by games in New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.

Hardik Pandya Set for T20I Comeback After Injury Layoff

Apart from Shubman Gill's return for the T20Is, Hardik Pandya will also make a comeback in the upcoming series. Pandya had been out of international action since picking up a niggle during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match against Sri Lanka in Dubai, which also kept him out of the final against Pakistan.

He showed good form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he smashed an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls for Baroda against Punjab. His knock helped Baroda chase 223 with an over to spare in Hyderabad. He also contributed with the ball, taking 1-52 in his four-over spell.

In T20Is, the 32-year-old has featured in 120 matches for India, scoring 1,860 runs with five fifties and picking up 98 wickets, including his best figures of 4 for 16.

Also read: "Main phir se mota ho jaunga" - Rohit Sharma refuses cake from Yashasvi Jaiswal after ODI series win