Shubman Gill’s Foot Injury Forces Him Out of India’s Final Showdown
On December 16, 2025, ahead of the crucial fifth T20I against South Africa, India faced a setback as vice-captain Shubman Gill incurred an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets in Lucknow. A BCCI release said Gill “sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on 16th December in Lucknow,” and that after consulting a specialist and getting treatment with the BCCI medical team he is improving but will be unavailable for selection for the final T20I in Ahmedabad.d.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Return Creates Opportunities Amidst Challenges
In a silver lining for India, Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the XI, replacing Harshit Rana; that change meant Kuldeep Yadav also sat out to preserve batting depth. Washington Sundar and Sanju Samson were added to the lineup as a result.
South Africa and India’s Strategic Moves for the Final T20I
South Africa won the final toss of the series and elected to chase, which did not make a big difference as India had planned to bat first. Suryakumar Yadav said he didn’t expect any dew later in the night, conditions in which he has tended to back his side defending totals.
On the opposing side, South Africa brought in George Linde for Anrich Nortje after they had played an all-pace attack in Dharamsala. David Miller replaced Tristan Stubbs.
India (final XI): Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa (final XI): Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
With both teams making strategic changes and players like Bumrah back in action, the stage is set for an intense final T20I.
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