Pandya back in India squad for T20s against South Africa

NEW DELHI: All-rounder Hardik Pandya was on Wednesday named in India’s T20 squad for the upcoming five matches against South Africa as he returns to international cricket after an injury.

Pandya suffered a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup in September and missed the team’s tour of Australia and the ongoing South Africa one-day series.

The 32-year-old Pandya made a winning comeback in India’s domestic T20 competition for his team Baroda as he scored 77 not out and took one wicket with his pace bowling.

Vice-captain Shubman Gill makes the 15-member but his return from a neck injury will depend on clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

South Africa condemn India to biggest Test loss for series sweep

India Test and ODI captain Gill suffered neck spasms during the first five-day game against South Africa last month and missed the second match as the hosts went down 2-0.

Suryakumar Yadav is the T20 captain.

India will begin the T20 series on December 9 in Cuttack.

Squad:

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.

* Subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE (Centre of Excellence).