Published on: Dec 5, 2025 6:05 pm IST|Updated on: Dec 5, 2025 6:05 pm IST
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has unveiled the squad for the upcoming five‑match T20I series against South Africa, beginning December 9, 2025. Take a look at Team India’s squad for IND vs SA T20I series.
One of the biggest headlines is the return of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder last featured for India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s against Sri Lanka before a left quadriceps injury sidelined him. After weeks of rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE), Pandya made a strong comeback in domestic cricket, scoring a match‑winning 77* for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. he will be the premier pace bowling all-rounder in the squad, accompanied by Shivam Dube.
Vice‑captain Shubman Gill is back for the series, though his participation hinges on a fitness clearance. Gill suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, missing the remainder of the match. He also didn’t feature in the second Test at Guwahati and the following two ODIs. Gill has been undergoing rehabilitation at the COE in Bengaluru and recently batted without discomfort, raising hopes of his availability. His leadership role underlines the selectors’ faith in him as a long‑term cornerstone of India’s white‑ball setup.
Another significant inclusion is Jasprit Bumrah, who returns after being rested for the ODI series. Bumrah’s presence bolsters India’s pace department, which also features Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Bumraj is the leader of the pack, and all other pacers will revolve around him.
Spinners have always been the strength of Team India while playing at home. Head coach Gautam Gambhir opted for three spinners in the playing eleven in Australia as well during the T20Is, so playing at home, a plethora of spin bowling options was somewhat expected. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel are the four spinners the selection committee has opted for in this series.
With the return of Hardik Pandya, it was expected that Nitish Kumar Reddy would be sidelined; however, the exclusion of Rinku Singh came as a massive surprise. The youngster from Aligarh, despite being India’s designated finisher in the T20Is, had to sacrifice his place for coach Gautam Gambhir’s favorites, Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar.
Gambhir wants Gill to play all formats to groom him as the next skipper across formats. Washington Sundar is another ‘favorite’ all-format player of the head coach, as we all know his obsession for all-rounders. Therefore, with Washington likely to bat at 6, there was no room for poor Rinku to get in the eleven. Also, ever since Gambhir has forced Gill into the T20I eleven, Rinku got only a solitary chance in the Asia Cup 2025 final, where he faced a solitary ball and hit a four, the winning run of the final. In the entire Asia Cup, it was Rinku’s only appearance in the eleven. In the Australian bilateral T20I series, which followed the Asia Cup 2025, Rinku got into the eleven in the fifth and final T20I, a game that got abandoned due to persistent rains.
The five‑match series will be played across different venues in India:
The squad announcement for the South Africa T20I series reflects a balanced mix of experience and youth, with Hardik Pandya’s return being the standout headline. With Bumrah back to spearhead the bowling and a versatile spin attack in place, India looks well‑equipped to challenge South Africa across five matches. Fans can expect high‑intensity cricket as the Men in Blue continue shaping their T20 future.