India and South Africa are set to continue their multi-format series with five T20I matches scheduled on December 9, 11, 14, 17, and 19. This series is part of the teams’ preparations leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026.
The Indian squad has received a significant boost with the return of ace batter Shubman Gill, who had previously missed the second Test and the ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury. Reports indicate that Gill has fully recovered and is available for selection.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his hopes for Gill’s performance in the upcoming series. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Pathan emphasized the importance of Gill establishing himself in the T20 format. He stated, “I would like to see three things in the South Africa series. Firstly, Shubman Gill needs to cement his place in T20 cricket. We believe he is an all-format player. We have seen how he performs in T20 cricket in our league. However, here, he has a chance to cement his place.”
Pathan further elaborated that Gill will have five T20I matches to prove his mettle in the format. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with such opportunities but expressed confidence in Gill’s abilities. “There will be slight pressure for sure, but he is a good player, and I hope he performs well in this T20 series. He is coming after a slight injury and will get a lot of opportunities. Five opportunities are a lot, and he will get those opportunities on good pitches. He will like many pitches, where you will get to see pace and bounce, like the Dharamsala pitch,” Pathan added.
