Shubman, Hardik make comebacks; India start T20 WC preparations with series vs SA

NEW DELHI: The return of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya adds fresh energy and much-needed balance to reigning T20 World Cup champions India as they kick off their official preparation for the home T20 World Cup with the first match of a five-game series against South Africa on Tuesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!This series marks the beginning of India’s structured build-up to the February showpiece, with 10 T20Is lined up — five against South Africa, followed by five against New Zealand — ahead of their title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7. The team will use this period to refine roles, test combinations, and settle on the XI that will carry the weight of expectations at home.

India have been formidable since their T20 World Cup triumph last year, winning eight consecutive matches on their way to the title.

Their dominant run has extended to 26 wins and just four losses, including a seven-match streak en route to the Asia Cup victory in Dubai. The team has not lost a T20I series in this period and will look to sharpen their edge against the side they defeated in the T20 World Cup final.GILL’S RETURNGill returns after missing almost a month due to a neck spasm suffered while attempting a slog sweep in the opening Test against South Africa. Having played continuous cricket since the last IPL, his workload will be closely monitored ahead of the packed season.

With 837 runs from 33 T20Is at an average of 29.89, Gill will use this series as crucial preparation for the ICC event. His reunion with Abhishek Sharma brings back a potent opening pair that blends brute force with classical strokeplay. Sharma, fresh from a standout tour of Australia, topped India’s scoring charts with 163 runs in the 2-1 series win. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he amassed 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and a strike rate of 249-plus, highlighted by a 52-ball 148 against Bengal as Punjab posted 310/5.PANDYA COMEBACKThe comeback of Hardik Pandya is equally significant. Out for over two months after a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup, the all-rounder made a statement with 77 off 42 balls* for Baroda in the SMAT, followed by four overs for 1/52. Arriving a day ahead of the squad, he trained solo at Barabati Stadium, bowled for 20 minutes, and completed an extended fitness routine. Pandya’s return strengthens India’s batting depth while restoring balance to a flexible bowling attack.SURYA’S FORMSkipper

Suryakumar Yadav

enters the series under scrutiny after a contrasting season. Following a scintillating IPL 2025 where he scored 717 runs, his T20I form has dipped — averaging 15.33 in 15 innings, without a fifty in the last 20 games, and a strike rate falling to 127.77 from 187-plus in 2022. Even in the SMAT, he failed to reach fifty, scoring 165 runs from five matches. The next 10 T20Is will be closely watched as a measure of his form and captaincy ahead of the World Cup.SAMSON vs JITESH The wicketkeeper-batter debate continues between

Sanju Samson

and Jitesh Sharma. During the Australia series, Samson batted only once at No. 3, while Jitesh played the last three T20Is. Samson, India’s third-highest scorer since the World Cup, has excelled as an opener, scoring three centuries, including two in South Africa. In the recent SMAT, Samson showed fine form with two fifties, two 40s, and 73 off 56 balls*, while Jitesh managed a top score of 41 in six outings for Baroda.NORTJE IS BACKSouth Africa welcome back pacer Anrich Nortje for his first international appearance since last year’s T20 World Cup final. Marco Jansen adds all-round strength, demonstrated by his 93 in the Guwahati Test and 70 off 39 balls in Ranchi. Veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj also returns. However, the Proteas will miss Tony de Zorzi and young pacer Kwena Maphaka, both sidelined due to injury.As India embark on this critical series, the focus will be on sharpening combinations, testing key players, and ensuring momentum heading into the home T20 World Cup.Teams (from):India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottineil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donnovan Ferreria, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.