Suryakumar Yadav's Team India will take on South Africa in first game of five-match T20I series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday. India captain Suryakumar Yadav at a training session in Cuttack on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav believes Hardik Pandya’s return will restore the tactical depth and balance that shaped the team’s Asia Cup 2025 surge when the world champions take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series starting in Cuttack on Tuesday. The ace India seam-bowling all-rounder, who sustained a left quadriceps injury and missed the Asia Cup final, is fully fit and in fine form after making his comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.

His timely return ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup 2026 has brought back the much-needed flexibility and

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