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Shubman Gill linked up with the Indian squad in Cuttack after arriving in Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday. Gill is set to make his much-awaited comeback for India in the upcoming five-match T20I series between India and South Africa. The two teams will lock horns in the 1st T20I at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 09.
Gill missed the two Tests and the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa after suffering a neck injury. Gill was part of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, but was ruled out of the match after suffering a neck injury while batting on Day 2. He subsequently missed the 2nd Test in Guwahati and the three-match ODI series against the Proteas.
Gill's selection in the upcoming five-match T20I series between India and South Africa was conditional due to his ongoing recovery, however, as per Cricbuzz, the star batter has recovered fully ahead of the series opener in Cuttack. Gill spent a couple of days at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, where he underwent his rehab.
The Indian ODI and Test captain also underwent progressive batting and ground conditioning as part of his rehab at the CoE. Gill was cleared to travel after batting and fielding at the CoE to showcase that he was match-ready. However, it remains to be seen if he will walk straight into the playing XI in the first T20I on Tuesday.
In a clip that has surfaced on social media, Gill was seen sitting alongside his India teammate and close friend Abhishek Sharma in the team bus.
Earlier, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had confirmed that Gill was fit and raring to go in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Speaking at the press conference after India's 9-wicket win in the third ODI against the Proteas in Vizag, Gambhir said Gill was ready to start.
"Yes, Shubman is ready to start. That's why he has been selected. He is fit, fine, and hungry to go," said the India head coach.
Meanwhile, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is also set to make his comeback for the national team after a long injury layoff, trained alone at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. Hardik was one of the first Indian players to arrive in the city and utilised his time in training at the venue.
It was a closed-door session for the all-rounder. Hardik has not played for India since picking up a left quadricep injury during the Asia Cup 2025 in September this year. He led Baroda in their clash against Punjab in the Syed Mushatq Ali Trophy 2025 recently and is now set to return to action for India in the T20I series against South Africa.
