Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, is set to make his much-awaited return to action in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, provided all goes well during his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The star batter, who has also been serving as the vice-captain of India’s T20I side, is expected to be fully fit and available for selection by early December.
Shubman Gill’s Rehabilitation Process
Gill’s journey back to full fitness has been a challenging one. The 26-year-old had suffered a neck spasm while batting on Day 2 of India’s Test against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens. This injury forced him to miss the remainder of the first Test in Kolkata, the second Test in Guwahati, and the subsequent three-match ODI series. Despite the setback, Gill remained with the team during the ODIs but chose to focus on his rehabilitation. He consulted specialists in Mumbai before heading to Chandigarh for further recovery.
On December 1, he arrived at the CoE in Bengaluru, where he has been working hard to regain full fitness. According to sources, his rehab has been progressing well, and if everything goes according to plan, Gill should be fit and ready to join the T20I squad in Cuttack by December 6–7.
India’s T20I Series Against South Africa
The Indian T20I team is expected to be announced on December 3, with the squad assembling in Cuttack before their first match against South Africa on December 9. If all goes smoothly with his recovery, Shubman Gill is expected to be available for selection and could feature in the series.
Following the Cuttack match, the five-match T20I series will continue across various cities in India. The subsequent fixtures will be held in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), and Lucknow (December 17), with the series concluding in Ahmedabad on December 19. The return of Gill will be a major boost for the Indian team as they look to put up a strong performance against South Africa in the T20I format.
Gill’s presence in the squad will also offer flexibility, given his ability to open the batting and anchor the innings, making him a valuable asset for India in the upcoming series.
