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IND VS SA, 5th T20I: Samson in but why Shubman Gill isn't playing?

Aditya Bhatia
Edited By Aditya Bhatia
Published: Dec 19, 2025, 19:18 IST | Updated: Dec 19, 2025, 19:25 IST
IND VS SA, 5th T20I: Samson in but why Shubman Gill isn't playing?

India's Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh walk across the field Photograph: (AFP)

Story highlights

In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Gill managed to score only 32 runs, drawing criticism on social media for his poor form.

Sanju Samson has finally been given a chance to prove himself to the team management and selectors, as he comes into the side in place of the struggling Shubman Gill for the fifth and final T20I match against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday (Dec 19). Gill missed the match after picking up an injury ahead of the fourth T20I in Lucknow. This game marks Samson’s first T20I appearance since the tour of Australia, with Gill having been preferred for the first three matches of the series. In the ongoing series, Gill has scored only 32 runs, drawing criticism across social media for his poor form.

Why Gill isn't playing?

Shubman Gill suffered an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets ahead of the Lucknow T20I.

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"Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on 16th December in Lucknow. 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," read the statement from BCCI.

What happened at the toss?

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South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to field first. They made only one change to their playing XI, bringing in George Linde in place of Anrich Nortje. India, on the other hand, made three changes, with Jasprit Bumrah replacing Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson coming in for Gill and Washington Sundar replacing Kuldeep Yadav.

Playing XIs

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah

About the Author

Aditya Bhatia

Aditya Bhatia

Aditya Bhatia

Aditya Bhatia is a dynamic journalist with a strong passion for storytelling, whether it’s the thrill of live sports or the pulse of current affairs. While sports remain close to...Read More

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