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Jaiswal in place of Gill; Samson to find a place? India's probable squad for SA T20Is

Soumyajit Dutta

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill [Source: @SelflessCricket/X]Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill [Source: @SelflessCricket/X]

While India is battling South Africa at Guwahati for the 2nd Test, the rest of the tour is knocking at the door. With the ODI series starting from November 30, the five-match T20I series is also not far. The IND vs SA T20I series begins on December 9 and will extend until December 19

Significantly, India won the Australia T20I series 2-1 after two rain-affected fixtures. With Shubman Gill ruled out, there might be a possible replacement coming up. 

As the selectors are set to meet at Guwahati to discuss the squad for the upcoming white-ball tour after Day 2's play of the 2nd Test, let's take a look at the probable squad that can be fielded in the T20I series against South Africa.

Here's a look at the squad that was previously fielded for Australia for the T20I series.

India's squad for Australia T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav

Who can be Shubman Gill's replacement for T20Is?

Shubman Gill has been reportedly ruled out of the ODIs given the neck spasm he suffered in the 1st Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. With his recovery still demanding time, he might miss the initial T20I games too, and hence a replacement for him as well as the vice-captaincy contention would also be in consideration.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has not been finding a place in the playing XI since Gill's prominent arrival in the squad. Hence, Jaiswal could be given a chance in place of Shubman Gill if he misses and pair up with Abhishek Sharma at the top.

Speaking of vice-captaincy, Axar Patel might be a fit for the role since he was the deputy of Suryakumar Yadav against England in January-February 2025.

Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku are likely to retain their places

Sanju Samson hasn't been at his top form in recent T20Is, however, as a wicketkeeper batter, his place looks unfazed beside wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma, who had a decent run in Doha while leading the Asia Cup Rising Star team for India A.

Rinku Singh's place looks stable too. However, his inclusion in the Playing XI is unlikely, as seen in the Australia tour. However, he makes up for a good replacement option for any middle-order woe and hence can be included in the squad.

Nitish, Washington, Shivam Dube, and Axar to form all-rounder core

It has been a few days since Nitish Reddy played a T20I game, but his all-round prowess could find him a place in the squad. Washington Sundar has been handy with his batting skills in the Australia T20I tour and can find himself named in the squad to be utilized as a beneficial spin-bowling all-rounder.

Shivam Dube is a must-have for the India squad in the T20Is given his budding bowling skills and pinch-hitting prowess in the middle order. His dual lethality is now a strategic pivot for India for many games now. With Hardik Pandya probably absent, Dube's presence would be all the more vital.

Axar Patel hasn't been impressive with the bat but has picked up a few with the ball in the T20Is and will be a vital cog again in India's mix of things for fielding a playing XI at home against South Africa.

3 pacers with the Kul-cha duo on!

With Jasprit Bumrah probably being rested for the ODIs, the ace pacer might be back in the blues for the T20I squad. Harshit Rana will be aiding the pace spearhead as Arshdeep Singh will retain his place as the primary pacer in the T20I setup.

Varun Chakaravarthy, who is in red-hot form after the Australia T20Is, will be joining hands with Kuldeep Yadav to complete the wrist spinner and legbreak duo. With solid credentials and a potential Playing XI appearance, the duo is one of the primary cogs of India's setup against South Africa on tracks from Cuttack to Ahmedabad.

India's probable squad for South Africa T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav