India captain Suryakumar Yadav thinks Hardik Pandya’s comeback will restore the tactical depth and balance that shaped the team’s Asia Cup rise when the World champions play South Africa in a five-match T20I series that begins in Cuttack on Tuesday.
After making a comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the star all-rounder, who missed the Asia Cup final due to a left quadriceps injury, is fully recovered and in excellent shape.
With his new-ball spells giving India the leeway to field three or even four spinners, his timely return ahead of the T20 World Cup next year has restored much-needed flexibility and balance.
“I think what you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he was bowling the new ball, he opened a lot of options, lot of combinations for us with respect to playing XI,” Suryakumar said on the eve of the series-opening T20I, on Monday.
“That’s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done really well in all the matches, all good games also, all bigger games in ICC events. I think that experience will count a lot. His presence will definitely give a good balance to the side.”
Pandya, who arrived in Cuttack a day early and trained alone at Barabati Stadium, incidentally missed Monday’s optional session. However, the captain revealed that both he and Shubman Gill, who is recovering from a neck spasm, are available.
“Right now, both of them look healthy and fit,” SKY said.
Although this series marks the beginning of India’s ten-match run leading up to the home T20 World Cup in February, Suryakumar stated that the foundation was established long before.
“Our 2026 T20 World Cup preparation began right after we won the T20 World Cup in 2024… Our preparation is similar. The preparation started after the T20 World Cup 2024 got over. Since then, we have been trying new things and everything is working for us.”
He emphasized that selection consistency is the key to India’s recent success.
“I feel in the last 5-6 series which we have played, we have tried and played with a similar combination. We have not changed too much… Everything is going well. We wanted to continue the same way.”
Suryakumar reaffirmed the importance of flexibility in the discussion surrounding wicketkeeper-batsmen Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma.
“In terms of Sanju, yes, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now, the thing is, other than the openers, I feel everyone has to be very flexible… He was ready to bat at any number.”
India will not engage in pointless tinkering, he said. “We won’t be changing a lot of combinations. We won’t be trying too many things because things are going really well. So, we want to stick to the process…”
When asked if Rinku Singh is still relevant in light of Shivam Dube’s rise, Suryakumar responded: “Dube is an all-rounder. So, him and Hardik are the all-rounders. So, you can’t compare an all-rounder. The thing is all the batters from 3 to 7 are capable of batting at any position.”
Suryakumar kept the target straightforward in the series against South Africa.
“The plan for the series is to play good cricket… There are some things that we are doing right. So, why should we change that?”
For the first time, Barabati’s red-soil pitch will be utilized. According to Suryakumar, he hasn’t yet examined it. “But we will see. If it is fast, then it is a good thing.”
When asked about the dew and whether the toss could be decisive once more, Suryakumar smiled, recalling KL Rahul’s peculiar turn of events with a left-handed flip that ultimately ended India’s run of 20 straight lost tosses in ODIs.
“I also do it with my left hand,” he laughed.
