Team India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav shared good news ahead of the upcoming T20I series, saying that Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are fit to play. The availability of the two players will provide strength to the team ahead of the first T20 match of the five-match series, which is scheduled to begin in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.
India have not lost a single T20 series under Suryakumar Yadav since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies. The Men in Blue have won 13 of the 15 T20Is they have played in 2025 and 26 of their last 30 matches overall. In particular, the series against South Africa will be important to prepare for the T20 World Cup.
Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are looking fit- Suryakumar Yadav
A day before the opening T20I, Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill have overcome their fitness concerns. Speaking to reporters in Cuttack, he said both players “look healthy and fit”.
“Both [Gill and Pandya] “Looking healthy and fit,” Suryakumar told reporters at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Hardik Pandya has worked hard after suffering a quadriceps injury in the match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025. Due to injury, he was ruled out of the final against Pakistan and also out of the white ball tour of Australia. He returned to competitive cricket in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Shubman Gill is also recovering from injury. He suffered a neck injury during the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata and missed the remaining matches of the series. This issue also ruled him out of the second Test. Gill also missed the ODI series, where India won 2–1.
We are not planning to make too many changes in our playing eleven – Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar also shared some clarity on India’s batting plans for the upcoming T20Is. He said that Shubman Gill will open with Abhishek Sharma, because India does not want to make changes in its lineup before the T20 World Cup 2026.
Suryakumar said, “Shubman had started in the series against Sri Lanka, after that we gave chances to Sanju in the upper order. He is a flexible player, can bat anywhere. We are not planning to make much changes in our playing eleven in the next 2 series. We will not make too many changes or try. We will continue with it.”
Hardik Pandya opened up a lot of options – Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav said that Hardik Pandya strengthens the team, especially with his bowling. He said that when Pandya takes the new ball, it gives the team many options while choosing the playing eleven.
“What did you also see in the Asia Cup, when he [Hardik] Bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us in terms of the playing XI,” Surya said.
“That’s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has performed well in all the big games, all the ICC events, ACC events. I think that experience will matter a lot and his presence will definitely provide a good balance to the team.”
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