The Indian team is set to play 5-match T20I series against South Africa, starting 9th December 2025. The likes of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are back in action after missing the ODI series against the Proteas due to injury. With the T20 World Cup just 2 months away, the preparations are under full swing and the Indian team is trying to see the best possible combination as they enter the final stage of the preparations.
Since 2024 T20 World Cup victory, the Indian team has been able to dominate in the shortest format of the game, winning almost every series in the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, including the all-important Asia Cup. With the big series underway, the cricket pundits have given their best possible 11 for the 5-match series.
Aakash Chopra, who is known for his cricketing analysis has chosen Jitesh Sharma over Sanju Samson, while playing Varun over Kuldeep. Interestingly, in his playing 11, Axar Patel bats at number 8 with Hardik Pandya returning at number 5 and Shivam Dube finding a place at number 6. The wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma has been chosen to finish off the innings, and hence he bats at number 7.
Here's Aakash Chopra's India Playing 11 for 5-match T20I series vs South Africa
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun.
