According to a PTI report, Team India vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the T20 series against South Africa after suffering a toe injury. The right-handed batsman, who is trying to find form in the T20Is, suffered a toe injury ahead of the fourth T20I against the Proteas.
Gill returned to international action in the ongoing T20 series after recovering from a neck injury. The opening batsmen have struggled with the bat in the first three matches. He could score just four runs in the opening match and recorded scores of 0 and 28 in the next two matches, but India currently lead the series 2-1.
Shubman Gill ruled out of remaining T20 series against South Africa
According to PTI, Shubman Gill suffered a toe injury during the net session before the fourth T20 match. He suffered an injury while batting at the end of an extended practice session, leaving him in obvious pain and difficulty walking.
The team management decided not to risk him for the match, as recovery is the priority and his availability for the final game is still uncertain. Sanju Samson is likely to open the innings in Gill’s absence.
“Shubman spent a long batting session in the nets on the eve of the fourth T20 match. At the end of the session, he injured his toe while batting in the nets. He was in pain and was staggering,” a BCCI source told PTI.
“It would have been difficult for him to play on Wednesday. Hence, he did not go with the team as his chances of playing in this match were very less. At this point of time, it is difficult to say whether he will play in Ahmedabad or not,” the source said.
Shubman Gill has struggled to make an impact in T20Is since his return
Shubman Gill has struggled to make an impact in T20Is. He made a comeback to the format during Asia Cup 2025. The batsman has scored 291 runs in 15 innings without a single half-century. His poor performance led to criticism and raised doubts about his place in India’s plans for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Shubman Gill was looking to use the ongoing South Africa series to improve his numbers and strengthen his case. However, he has struggled with the bat in the first three matches.
Sanju Samson is ready to open the innings. This will be his first innings as an opening batsman after Asia Cup 2025. Samson was dropped as an opener despite scoring three centuries in the last 12 months when Gill was brought back into the T20I squad.
Fourth T20 match between India and South Africa canceled due to fog in Lucknow
The fourth T20 match between India and South Africa was abandoned due to dense fog at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, 17 December. Poor visibility made it unsafe to play, leaving fans frustrated after waiting for hours.
With the match cancelled, India is leading 2-1 in the five-match series. The fifth and final T20 match will now be played on December 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India made a strong start to the series with a big win in Cuttack. South Africa responded by winning the second match in Mullanpur to level the series. After this, India took the lead with a comfortable seven-wicket win in Dharamshala.
Also read: There was a fierce clash between Ben Stokes and Joffra Archer during the third Ashes Test.
