Vice-captain Shubman Gill’s health and availability for India’s upcoming T20I sequence in opposition to South Africa, beginning on December 9, will likely be in focus when the Ajit Agarkar-led choice committee convenes in Raipur on Wednesday, the place the second ODI will likely be performed, to finalize the 15-member squad.
Gill suffered a neck damage within the Kolkata Check in opposition to South Africa, the place he needed to retire harm for 4. Since then, he is been out of motion – having flown to Mumbai after being dominated out of the Guwahati Check to satisfy Dr Abhay Nene, after which went again to his hometown Chandigarh for additional relaxation and restoration.
IANS understands that Gill has touched down on the BCCI Heart of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Tuesday for additional rehab. “The Indian group for the T20Is has to assemble on December 6, so the selectors have to pick on Wednesday. As of now, Shubman’s standing for enjoying within the T20I sequence is 50-50.”
“There is a chance that he might strive batting and see how he feels earlier than a choice is made for together with him within the upcoming sequence,” mentioned a supply conversant in the matter to IANS on Tuesday.
If Gill is unable to function, both Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal may very well be a possible opening associate for the in-form Abhishek Sharma. Samson was a part of the T20I sequence win in Australia, however featured in solely two matches and batted simply as soon as at No. 3, whereas Jaiswal was not a part of the squad.
Agarkar & Co. can also be anticipated to incorporate seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya within the Suryakumar Yadav-led T20I group after making a profitable return for Baroda within the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“Whoever the selectors decide goes to offer pointers in the direction of the T20 World Cup foremost squad,” additional mentioned sources. Pandya was recovering from a left quadriceps damage sustained throughout the triumphant Asia Cup marketing campaign within the UAE in September, and on his return to aggressive cricket, he picked 1-52 in 4 overs and struck an unbeaten 77 to assist Baroda beat Punjab by seven wickets in Hyderabad.
India’s five-match T20I sequence in opposition to Aiden Markram-led South Africa will start in Cuttack on December 9, and is adopted by subsequent video games in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17), and Ahmedabad (December 19).