Gill’s fitness test at COE to decide South Africa T20I return; Hardik cleared for SMAT comeback

Shubman Gill will undergo a fitness test at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence to decide his availability for the South Africa T20Is. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has been cleared to return and will play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches for Baroda

New Delhi: India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill will report at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence on Monday for his mandatory fitness assessment protocols, which will determine his return to action for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa starting December 9.

Gill had sustained a neck injury while batting on the second day of the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata and has since missed the second Test and the ongoing ODI series. Since the Indian T20I squad is unlikely to have surprises unless there are injury issues, the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar will be waiting for Gill’s fitness report from the Sports Science team at the COE.

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“Gill was administered an injection and advised 21 days of rest and rehabilitation, which included specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the injured area. Obviously, the sports science team would go through all his mandatory fitness tests before he starts the skills training. Nothing can be said unless the sports science team assesses his movements during skills training and whether he is having zero discomfort while batting,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

As of now, the chances of Gill’s return for the South Africa T20Is seem to be 50-50.

Hardik cleared for SMAT return Meanwhile, there is good news for Indian fans as Hardik Pandya has got clearance to return to the T20 format and will play his first match in nearly two-and-a-half months against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

He is also scheduled to play the December 4 game between Baroda and Gujarat, with national selector Pragyan Ojha in attendance during both matches to check his overall fitness before the squad is announced.

“From October 21 to November 30, Hardik didn’t even move out of the COE and completed his full rehab and ‘Return To Play’ protocols. As of now, he has been given the all clear — to bat and bowl in T20Is — and he has already linked up with the Baroda team for the Punjab game. He will play on December 4 vs Gujarat and if the Indian team management doesn’t summon him earlier, then he plans to play the December 6 game against Haryana also,” a source at the COE informed.