- By Gurmeet Batra
- Mon, 08 Dec 2025 04:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs South Africa T20Is: India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav gave an important update on the fitness fronts of vice-captain Shubman Gill and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, stating the duo are looking healthy and fit ahead of the first T20I against South Africa in Cuttack.
Gill, who missed the ODI series against the Proteas due to a neck injury, and Pandya, who has been out of international action since the Asia Cup with a quadricep injury, are set to return to India's fold.
"Both [Gill and Pandya] are looking healthy and fit," Suryakumar said in a pre-match press conference.
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The ace India seam-bowling all-rounder is fully fit and in form after making his comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Pandya claimed wickets in both games for Baroda and then went on to play an unbeaten 77 off 42 against Punjab.
"I think what you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he was bowling the new ball, he opened a lot of options, lot of combinations for us with respect to playing XI," Suryakumar said.
"That's what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done really well in all the matches, all good games also, all bigger games in ICC events. I think that experience will count a lot. His presence will definitely give a good balance to the side," said the Indian captain.
Suryakumar highlighted that India's recent victories derive from the consistency of selection.
"I feel in the last 5-6 series which we have played, we have tried and played with a similar combination. We have not changed too much... Everything is going well. We wanted to continue the same way," Suryakumar said.