Suryakumar Yadav Named Captain as India Announces Strong 15-Member Squad for T20 Series vs South Africa
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian squad for a five-match T20 series against South Africa on 3rd December 2023. Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain and Shubman Gill has been chosen to be vice captain, although Gill must pass fitness tests conducted by the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 3: As a result of BCCI selecting both Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya to play in the five-match series which starts on 9th December 2023 and ends on 19th December 2023, both players will be making their return to the international cricket scene after long periods away from it. Although he has been selected as vice-captain, BCCI has made it clear that Gill's position in the squad will depend on him passing the required fitness test.
Shubman Gill Fitness Tests Pending for Inclusion
Gill missed out on the ODI series against South Africa due to injury sustained during his second Test match against them. This neck injury resulted from batting-related activities and forced Gill to spend time in a Kolkata hospital for treatment.
On Monday, Gill entered the BCCI CoE to undergo rehabilitation. According to sources, Gill completed a successful, unrestricted batting session while there and suffered no symptoms concerning his previous neck injury during or after this session. Gill will play his last RTP (Return to Play) clearance match on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya Makes Comeback After Injury Layoff, Impresses in Domestic T20
Hardik Pandya returns on their first practice since getting injured during the Asia Cup in September. He has been in rehabilitation since injury and ready to return to action.
He was on the field for Baroda against Punjab in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Tuesday, and had scored 77 runs on 42 balls, an impressive achievement after he made his total recovery and fitness in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Balanced Indian Bowling Attack
The bowling line-up of the Indian squad seems to be balanced between pace and spin. Jasprith Bumrah will lead pace attack and Arshdeep Singh will continue to impress as a young player, along with Harshit Rana, who has soared after his performances in domestic and IPL matches.
The spin attack will be led by Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, India’s spin attack would provide India with both mystery and control, both very important factors in India’s recent successes in T20 cricket.
Selection is made by selecting two skilled wicket keepers, Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson of the types of game.
T20 Series Schedule: Five Matches Across India
T20s will take place after one day international One Day International games between India and South Africa with the third ODI on December 6 in Raipur taking place.
The first match of the T20I series starts on December 9 in Cuttack and the second game on December 11 in New Chandigarh will be on December 11. The second match is scheduled to be held on December 14 in Dharamsala, and on the following December 17 in Lucknow. The fifth and final match of the T20I series will be held on Dec 19 in Ahmedabad.
SQUAD- Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
