Tilak Varma's T20 World Cup spot in serious threat, Gautam Gambhir summons replacement for South Africa T20Is

Tilak Varma’s place in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 plan is suddenly under serious doubt after head coach Gautam Gambhir planned a major twist for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. Gautam Gambhir is reportedly pushing strongly for a surprise replacement because of Shubman Gill’s injury.

Presently, the biggest worry for the Indian selectors right now is Shubman Gill’s availability. As India’s T20I vice-captain, he was expected to play a major role in the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, especially since the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is just a couple of months away.

Tilak Varma is in trouble as Gautam Gambhir pushes shock replacement for the SA T20Is due to Shubman Gill's injury

But Gill’s injury has created confusion at the last minute. As reported by ESPNCricinfo, India’s Test and ODI captain is dealing with a pinched nerve, and according to the medical plan made by the BCCI staff, he still needs at least five full weeks of rest before he can even return to training.

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The Punjab lad has already reached the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to continue his rehab, which shows that the situation is serious and the selectors will not rush his return. Given that, it is very unlikely that he will be fit in time for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

This situation has pushed the Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, into a very important meeting in Raipur. They will meet in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, on the sidelines of the second ODI between India and South Africa at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Gautam Gambhir is also likely to join the meeting.

Riyan Parag set for India comeback with South Africa T20Is

An ESPNCricinfo report suggested that Riyan Parag is suddenly being considered for the 15-member squad for the T20I series against the Proteas side. The Assam captain’s name has created a lot of interest among the selectors despite his recent poor form with the bat.

In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, Parag has been struggling badly, scoring only 5, 15, 14, and 0, and Assam has also lost three of those matches, which makes the call even more surprising. Even in IPL 2025, Parag managed only 393 runs and hit only one half-century.

Despite all this, Parag fits the all-rounder style that Gautam Gambhir prefers. Gautam Gambhir likes players who can do more than one job on the field, and Parag’s ability to bowl useful overs makes him a valuable option on Indian pitches despite his ongoing struggles.

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Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in contention for T20I selection

Parag has already represented India in nine T20Is, scoring 106 runs and taking four wickets. His last game for India was in July 2024 against Zimbabwe. Now, Parag can add to his tally, but this entire situation is creating pressure on Tilak.

With Gill injured and Parag rising into the conversation, the competition for middle-order spots has become tight, and Tilak’s position is no longer safe.

It is also being said that Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are being considered for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa after Gill’s fitness concerns. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya is ready to make a comeback with the upcoming T20I series at home.