Predicted India Playing for the IND vs SA 1st T20I

The T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and the Men in Blue are gearing up to defend their title. The upcoming five-match India vs South Africa series is poised to be a crucial platform for the hosts to identify the right combination before they put it to test in their final dress rehearsal: the India vs New Zealand series. That is why the home series will mark the return of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, both of whom were sidelined due to injuries. While Gill’s availability remains uncertain, pending clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Pandya appears ready after finding his rhythm during the recent SMAT. How the India Playing XI shapes up for the IND vs SA 1st T20I is likely to offer an early glimpse into the management’s plans for the marquee tournament.

A look at the predicted India Playing XI for IND vs SA 1st T20I

The India vs South Africa T20I series will see Hardik Pandya return to action after being sidelined with a left quadriceps injury. The pace all-rounder sustained the blow during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s clash, which forced him to miss both the India vs Pakistan final and the Australia tour. With the 2026 T20 World Cup in sight, Pandya has been eased back into the game, testing his fitness in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Having completed his full quota of overs for Baroda in the SMAT without any discomfort, Pandya now appears set to make his international comeback in Cuttack for the IND vs SA 1st T20I.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain in the shorter format, is also expected to feature in the fixture after his brief hiatus. The Test captain suffered a neck spasm during the India vs South Africa Test in Kolkata, which forced him to miss the following red-ball match as well as the three-match ODI series. However, since the BCCI has not yet confirmed his clearance from the CoE, Gill may also sit out the initial fixtures.

Luckily, the Men in Blue have managed to play the shorter format without the newly appointed vice-captain for over a year. Before Shubman Gill returned to the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025, India opened with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Gill’s inclusion put Samson’s place under threat, with the wicketkeeper-batter pushed into the middle order for the ACC event.

Now, if Gill is instructed to sit out of the IND vs SA 1st ODI, Samson will likely reclaim his place in the India Playing XI as the opener. Abhishek Sharma is expected to partner him at the top, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav coming in next. Tilak Varma is also slated to feature in the middle order. As for the bowling attack, it remains to be seen whether the Men in Blue will continue with their spin-heavy approach.

After missing the ODI series, Axar Patel is likely to return to action in the T20I leg. However, with Pandya back and Shivam Dube also in the mix, it remains to be seen whether the lineup can accommodate another all-rounder. The spin department, meanwhile, is expected to be spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav. In the pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pack, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana in tow for selection.