“Shubman Gill Returns, Harshit Rana Dropped: India’s Probable XI for 1st T20I vs South Africa in Cuttack”

India Gear Up for 1st T20I vs South Africa in Cuttack: Likely Playing XI

Team India has arrived in Odisha ahead of the first game of the 5-match T20I series against South Africa, starting December 9 at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Fresh off a 2-1 ODI series win over the Proteas, India will look to kick off the T20 series on a high.

This series also provides the Indian management an opportunity to assess bench strength ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup at home. India will play 10 T20Is before the tournament—5 each against South Africa and New Zealand—allowing the team to fine-tune their squad of 15.

The series marks the return of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, both sidelined due to injuries. Pandya missed the Asia Cup final with a quadriceps injury, while Gill was ruled out of the Test series and subsequent ODIs with a neck injury. Gill has cleared a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is expected to open alongside Abhishek Sharma.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav is set to bat at No. 3, with Tilak Varma, the hero of the Asia Cup final, at No. 4. Sanju Samson is likely to bat at No. 5, while Hardik Pandya will take No. 6. Axar Patel will provide all-round support in the middle order.

India’s bowling attack is set to include spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to lead the pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh.

India’s Likely XI for 1st T20I vs South Africa:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh