The T20I vice captain, Shubman Gill, rejoined Men in Blues in Bhubaneswar on Sunday night ahead of the T20I series of the South Africa tour of India 2025.

The opener has fully recovered from his neck injury after weeks of rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

India’s Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Gill’s fitness as India prepares to name their likely playing 11 for the 1st T20I. Shubman Gill missed one Test and three ODIs against South Africa.

Shubman Gill is set to feature in the five-match T20I series beginning December 09 in Cuttack.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), while naming him in the squad, stated that his participation remains ‘subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE.’

According to reports, Shubman Gill has totally recovered from the neck injury he suffered during the first test against South Africa in Kolkata last month.

Despite discomfort, he travelled to Guwahati for the second test, hoping to play the series decider, but his inability to train forced him to return to Mumbai.

He met a spine specialist and underwent physiotherapy before shifting to the BCCI Excellence in Bengaluru for rehabilitation.

During his recovery, Shubman Gill completed batting and fielding drills and also participated in match-simulation sessions to push for final medical clearance.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed on Saturday that Shubman Gill is ready for international cricket.

“Yes, Shubman is ready to start.

That’s why he has been selected. He is fit, fine, and hungry to go,” said Gautam Gambhir after India’s 2-1 win in the ODI series against South Africa.

Most Indian squad members have already reached Bhubaneswar, while a few players arrived from Visakhapatnam via chartered flight on Sunday morning.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has already visited the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Meanwhile, Captain Suryakumar Yadav is expected to bat at No.3 as he looks to regain form, with Tilak Varma likely to slot in next.

India is expected to field three all-rounders, including Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, possibly leaving Washington Sundar out of the XI.

Sanju Samson may continue to bench, Jitesh Sharma, who replaced him as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper during the Australia tour.

India’s likely playing 11 for 1st T20Is vs South Africa: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakraborty.

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