India have been handed a welcome boost on the eve of the South Africa series, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirming that Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are ready for the opening T20I in Cuttack.
“Both [Gill and Pandya] are looking healthy and fit,” Suryakumar said after Monday’s optional training. Gill had missed all cricket since suffering neck spasms in the Kolkata Test, while Pandya tore his left quadriceps during the Asia Cup in September.
Gill, now vice-captain, has not played a competitive match in almost five weeks. Pandya, by contrast, eased his way back through the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: four tidy overs in each of Baroda’s two games, a wicket in both, plus an unbeaten 77 from 42 balls in a 223-run chase against Punjab. In other words, the all-rounder looks close to full capacity.
“What you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he [Hardik] was bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI,” Suryakumar reminded reporters. “That’s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done well in all big games, all ICC events, ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side.”
Selection headaches do remain. With Gill reclaiming an opening berth, the squeeze on the middle order tightens. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma appear to be fighting for a single slot, one that could shift depending on match-ups and conditions.
“Sanju, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order,” the captain noted. “Now the thing is, other than the openers, everyone has to be flexible. He did really well when he opened the innings but Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series, so he deserves to take that spot.
“But we gave Sanju opportunities. He was ready to bat at any number, which is actually good to see a player being flexible to bat anywhere from No. 3 to 6. That’s one thing I have told all the batters that other than openers, everyone has to be very flexible. Both [Samson and Jitesh] are in the scheme of things. It’s always good to have lovely players like both of them. One can open, one can bat lower down the order. In fact, both can do all the roles. It’s an asset to the team and a good headache to have.”
From a tactical angle, India will welcome the balance a fit Pandya provides. If he completes his four overs, the side can lengthen its batting to No. 8 without over-relying on part-timers. On South African pitches that tend to quicken under lights, the extra seam option could prove decisive over a three-match series.
For Gill, the focus is simpler: get through his first innings pain-free and slot in alongside captain Rohit Sharma at the top. A steady start would ease nerves in a camp that has lately faced a steady trickle of injuries.
First ball is scheduled for 19:00 local time on Tuesday.
