Shubman Gill arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday night looking refreshed, focused, and eager for a return to international cricket. Touching down around 9 p.m. after a full day of travel, the India T20I vice-captain is set for a comeback following his absence from two Tests and three ODIs against the visiting South African team. India coach Gautam Gambhir summed up his mindset succinctly, saying Gill is “hungry to go.”
Gill had been named in India’s squad for the five-match Twenty20 series beginning December 9 in Cuttack, but his inclusion came with a caveat. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced his availability as “subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE,” prompting questions about his readiness. Those doubts were put to rest as it emerged that Gill has fully recovered from the neck injury he sustained during the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata last month.
According to earlier reports, Gill spent several days at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he batted, fielded, and underwent a comprehensive assessment. The medical team eventually handed him the all-clear, validating his inclusion in the squad. Gambhir reaffirmed this on Saturday night after India’s final ODI in Visakhapatnam, saying, “Yes, Shubman is ready to start. That’s why he has been selected. He is fit, fine, and hungry to go.”
While most players from both India and South Africa arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday morning via a chartered flight from Visakhapatnam, Gill followed later since he was not part of the ODI squad. His arrival added energy to the build-up as India looks to set the tone in the opening match at Barabati Stadium.
Adding to the anticipation, local media reported that Hardik Pandya visited the Cuttack venue on Sunday evening for a closed-door training session. He was among the earliest to reach the city, signaling strong intent ahead of the high-profile series.
With Gill fully fit and the squad assembling in Odisha, India enters the T20Is with renewed strength and clarity. For Gill, the series marks not just a return, but an opportunity to reassert his presence in the shortest format as the team continues to refine its combinations.
