The excitement about Hardik Pandya’s comeback to the cricket grounds is huge. He had a long, difficult recovery after his injury. However, the star all-rounder has reportedly recovered incredibly well. He is showing he is completely fit, both when batting and when bowling in the nets. All this has been really well voiced by his recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) showing.

Will Hardik Pandya Be Back to Team India?

If this upward trajectory continues and he maintains his fitness and rhythm through the domestic calendar, it’s very likely that selectors bring back Hardik Pandya in T20I squad ahead of the IND vs SA T20 series. This news is a massive boost for the squad, but it instantly creates a logistical headache for the selectors.

Hardik Pandya’s Comeback Performance in SMAT

Hardik Pandya’s performance in the SMAT on Tuesday served as the greatest audition to stage his comeback into the Indian team. He struck an unbeaten 77 off just 42 balls, which led Baroda to a seven-wicket success over Punjab. His bowling figures were not strong, finishing with 1 wicket for 52 runs in four overs. But for the selectors, what matters most is his fitness. That is the most important thing. He successfully bowled his full four overs. This proved he could finish an entire spell without any trouble. It was the most promising sign that his recovery is strong and reliable.

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR TEAM INDIA 🚨

– Hardik Pandya has been cleared to bowl in T20I from BCCI CoE. [Kushar Sarkar] pic.twitter.com/IqVQ6IjxGI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 1, 2025

Pandya got injured during a key 2025 Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka. It was later discovered that he had hurt his quadriceps muscle. The injury caused him to drop out of the rest of the tournament. Since that time, he has dedicated nearly all his focus to recovery at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

🚨 INDIAN T20I UPDATE 🚨

Exclusive – Indian team for the T20I series against South Africa is likely to be announced tomorrow.

Hardik Pandya is likely to reach Cuttack on December 6th for the T20I series. pic.twitter.com/ZN3sN8cFn1

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 2, 2025

The team management had already decided to treat him as a T20I specialist to manage his body, knowing they needed him fully fit for the World Cup. Over the last six weeks, he successfully finished all the official Return to Play (RTP) tests and got the green light to resume all his duties – both batting and fast bowling – at maximum capacity.

The Selection Squeeze：Stars to Likely Lose Their Spots

Shivam Dube：The Like-for-Like Casualty

This is the most direct and heartbreaking consequence of Hardik Pandya’s comeback. Shivam Dube has essentially filled Hardik Pandya’s shoes for the last season. He has done well as the main replacement pace-bowling all-rounder. Dube is known for easily hitting the ball over the boundary ropes. He has played some impressive innings, proving he is a useful and powerful hitter.

However, the comparison between the two players, while unfair to Dube, is inevitable. Pandya offers greater match-winning experience, higher pace (often 10-15 kph faster than Dube), far superior fielding, and more reliable death-overs bowling variations. Dube’s seam-up bowling, while occasionally effective, can be vulnerable, and his limited pace makes him a less threatening option against top-tier international batters. Once Hardik is confirmed fit and firing, the selectors will choose the higher-ceiling option every single time. Dube’s role as the backup pace all-rounder is secure, but his place in the starting XI vanishes instantly with Hardik Pandya in T20I squad.

Shubman Gill：The Top-Order Risk Management

Shubman Gill’s scenario is different! He is a specialist top-order batsman, seemingly far removed from Hardik Pandya’s middle-order position. However, his vulnerability stems from risk management and the need for structural flexibility imposed by Pandya’s re-entry. Gill has been dealing with an ongoing neck issue, which has caused visible discomfort and, more critically, raised concerns about his ability to field and commit to aggressive running and diving – essential components of modern T20 cricket.

The selectors have a tough choice. Should they pick a pure top-order batsman (Gill) who has a lingering neck injury? Or should they choose a player who offers more utility and guaranteed fitness?

Conclusion

With Hardik Pandya’s comeback, the team gains balance and can afford Rinku Singh and another specialist bowler. However, the management is worried about Gill’s injury before the World Cup. If his neck injury gets worse, the team loses a key batsman and its overall balance. They want to avoid that risk.

Hardik Pandya has been cleared to bowl.

He is set to make a comeback against South Africa in the T20I series after the BCCI CoE gave him the green light.

(Source – PTI)#Cricket #HardikPandya #T20I pic.twitter.com/qxaJITNzPa

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) December 1, 2025

The selector’s conservative approach will likely be to prioritize a fully fit, utility-focused player over a world-class batsman carrying a visible physical liability in a high-intensity format. They might keep a more robust, middle-order floater, like Hardik Pandya in T20I squad, who can double as a keeper or a spinner, pushing Gill out to ensure 100% fitness throughout the XI. There’s still ample time before the T20I series between India and South Africa starts. During this period, selectors will keep a close eye on his future matches. In the meantime, fans will pray all they can for Hardik Pandya’s comeback.