IND vs SA 2025: Why is Shubman Gill not playing in India vs South Africa 5th T20I?

As there is full visibility at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, and South Africa are battling it out for the fifth match of the series. One of the shocking visuals unfolded at the ground was when Sanju Samson came out to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. This was because Shubman Gill could not make it into the Playing XI for the ongoing game.

Toss Update

South African skipper Aiden Markram called it correctly at the toss and revealed that the Proteas wanted to bowl first. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said that he did not mind losing the toss, since they anyway wanted to bat first at Motera in the fifth and final match of the series. A couple of changes were confirmed by both the sides to their Playing Xis from the previous match.

Why did India replace Shubman Gill with Sanju Samson?

As mentioned, India entered the contest without Gill, since the Indian vice-captain picked up a niggle ahead of the match. Suryakumar confirmed that since the 26-year-old had not recovered, they chose to give Sanju Samson a go, as the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter opened alongside Abhishek. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, who had missed the third match due to personal reason, came back to the set-up, replacing Harshit Rana.

What did the captains say?

Suryakumar Yadav, India captain

"We were looking to bat first. The wicket looks good, there won't be dew and we want to put runs on the board. It (the stadium) almost feels full. Let's see what we want from this game, yes the series is on the line, but it is about expressing yourself and enjoying the game. Bumrah comes in for Harshit, Washi comes in for Kuldeep and Gill picked up a niggle in Lucknow, so Sanju comes in."

Aiden Markram, South Africa captain

"We are going to bowl first. The wicket looks quite dew, probably some dew later on and ball comes on better. There's everything to play for, focus is on the World Cup and we have quite a few games here. Quite a few good signs with the ball in hand, looking to finish the tour on a positive note. Linde comes in for Nortje."

IND vs SA, 5th T20I — Playing 11s

India

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman