India vs South Africa T20I Series: Team India has been announced for the T20 series against South Africa. During the second ODI between India and South Africa in Raipur, the BCCI announced the 15-member squad for the five-match T20 series. The most notable addition is the return of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, who are returning to the team after injury. Gill has been named vice-captain, but his participation in the series will depend on his fitness. However, a major decision has been made regarding Rinku Singh, who has been dropped from the squad for this series.
This T20 series against South Africa is crucial in preparation for the T20 World Cup, scheduled for early next year. It is believed that the players selected for this series will be part of the T20 World Cup squad.
Hardik Pandya Returns after Asia Cup
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was injured while playing in the 2025 Asia Cup. He has been out of Team India since then, but he is now fully fit and has returned to the team. Hardik recently played a blistering 77 runs off 42 balls in a match against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During his innings, he hit seven fours and four sixes.
Rinku and Nitish Reddy Excluded from the Squad
The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has retained the squad that played the T20I series in Australia for this series as well. The only major change has been made regarding Hardik Pandya, with middle-order batsman Rinku Singh being dropped for him. Rinku only got a chance to play in one match in the T20I series in Australia, but that match was abandoned due to rain. He also played just one match in the Asia Cup before that. Overall, Rinku only got a chance in the playing XI in five T20I matches this year, batting in three of them. Besides Rinku, Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been ruled out of this tour.
Jasprit Bumrah's Returns
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the T20I squad. He previously played in the Test series against South Africa. Considering his workload, he was rested for the three-match ODI series. Now, he is ready to return to the field. Meanwhile, the selectors have included Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana alongside Bumrah in the fast bowling department.
India Squad for T20I Series against SA: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
Note: * Subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.
IND vs SA T20I Series Full Schedule
• 1st T20I – Tuesday, December 9, Cuttack
• 2nd T20I – Thursday, December 11, Mullanpur
• 3rd T20I – Sunday, December 14, Dharamsala
• 4th T20I – Wednesday, December 17, Lucknow
• 5th T20I – Friday, December 19, Ahmedabad.
