India vice-captain Shubman Gill will return for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa starting December 9 in Cuttack after recovering from a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata last month. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn expressed excitement over Gill’s return following his rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Gill’s availability after India’s 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa on Saturday.
“It looks like he’s back in India, so all the Indian fans are very excited to have him back,” Steyn said in a video posted by Star Sports on their ‘X’ account.The Indian team gets an added boost with the return of Hardik Pandya, who was out since September due to a quad injury during the Asia Cup.South Africa will also welcome back David Miller, who missed the Pakistan T20I series due to a first grade right hamstring strain.“He’s back in South Africa. The great batsman David Miller, he hits the ball from the ground. I’m excited to see him back,” Steyn added.The T20I series schedule includes matches in New Chandigarh on December 11, Dharamsala on December 14, Lucknow on December 17 and Ahmedabad on December 19, after the opening match in Cuttack.“The last time I saw South Africa play India in a T20 was in the World Cup final in Barbados. It will be great to see and very excited to be a part of it,” Steyn concluded.The series marks a significant return for key players from both sides, with Gill and Pandya strengthening India’s lineup while Miller bolsters South Africa’s batting order.
