SA opt to bowl; Gill, Hardik back for India

Tue, 09 December 2025

18:37

South Africa captain Aiden Markram has won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the first T20 International in Cuttack on Tuesday.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav can only laugh at his luck as the hosts lose yet another toss.

India have bolstered by the return of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya along with vice-captain Shubman Gill, with both recovering from their injuries.

Jasprit Bumrah is back to lead the bowling attack after being rested for the ODI series, while Jitesh Sharma takes over the gloves ahead of Sanju Samson.

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