## India’s T20I Squad for South Africa Series
### Overview
India has announced its T20 International squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. The selection marks a significant moment for several players, especially with the return of key all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who missed recent matches due to injury.
### Key Highlights
- **Hardik Pandya** is expected to make his return as vice-captain, signaling confidence in his recovery and form.
- **Suryakumar Yadav** will continue to lead the T20 side after captaining the second-string team in previous series.
- **Jasprit Bumrah**, fresh from his performances in the World Cup, has been rested to manage workload.
- Young talents like **Shubman Gill** and **Abhishek Sharma** retain their positions, continuing India’s focus on developing the next generation of T20 stars.
### Selectors’ Perspective
A BCCI source noted that the squad reflects both form and future planning. The balance between experienced internationals and promising youth aims to maintain continuity while providing opportunities for new players to adapt to international conditions.
> “The management wants to rotate senior players and give match time to emerging ones before next year’s T20 World Cup,” said a selection committee insider.
### Upcoming Series Schedule
India’s T20I series against South Africa will begin with three matches scheduled across key venues in December, followed by ODIs and Test matches as part of a multi-format tour.
### Squad Composition (Expected)
- **Captain:** Suryakumar Yadav
- **Vice-Captain:** Hardik Pandya
- **Players:** Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal
> “It’s a good mix of pace and spin, along with all-round options that can adapt to South African conditions,” said a team analyst familiar with the squad’s planning.
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### Author’s Summary
India’s T20I squad to face South Africa blends experienced players with emerging talent, with Hardik Pandya’s comeback shaping the team’s balance and strategy for 2024.
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Times Now — 2025-11-29