Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are set to make their return to international cricket as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included them in the squad for a five-match T20I series against South Africa. The series will take place from December 9 to 19, with Gill appointed as vice-captain, pending fitness clearance.

Gill had been sidelined due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was unable to participate in the second Test and the ongoing ODI series. However, he has now fully recovered and is ready to take on his role in the T20I series. A BCCI source confirmed, "Gill has recovered fully and will be back as vice captain."

Hardik Pandya also returns to the squad after recovering from an injury he sustained during the Asia Cup in September. He showcased his fitness by scoring 77 runs off 42 balls in a recent match for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The T20I series will be crucial for India as it serves as a preparatory phase before the T20 World Cup, which begins in February. The squad for the series includes Suryakumar Yadav as the captain, with Gill and Pandya among the key players. Other notable selections are Jasprit Bumrah, who returns after being rested, and in-form players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.

The matches are scheduled as follows: - 1st T20I: December 9 in Cuttack - 2nd T20I: December 11 in Mullanpur - 3rd T20I: December 14 in Dharamsala - 4th T20I: December 17 in Lucknow - 5th T20I: December 19 in Ahmedabad

This series marks an important step for the Indian team as they gear up for the World Cup, with both Gill and Pandya expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming matches.