Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has returned to the national team squad for the five-match T20I series beginning against South Africa from December 9 onwards. Vice-captain Shubman Gill has been selected in the roster too, on the condition that he passes a fitness test to feature in the contests.

Gill had suffered a sprained neck during the Kolkata Test against the Proteas and hence ended up missing the subsequent encounter in Guwahati, along with the ongoing ODI series as well.

He will require a clearance on his fitness from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Pandya demonstrated his fitness when he returned to domestic cricket on Tuesday, scoring 77 runs from 42 balls as he guided Baroda to a seven-wicket win over Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Rinku Singh and Nitis

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