Hardik Pandya opts out of practice session in Cuttack:Shubman Gill returns in full flow ahead of T20I series; 5,000 fans cheered loudly in Barabati Stadium

Team India began preparations for the T20 series-opener at the Barabati Stadium on Monday with a high-energy training session. The biggest highlight of the evening was the return of Shubman Gill, who looked fully recovered and confident after spending 24 days on the sidelines due to a neck spasm. Shubman Gill, who also leads India in Tests and ODIs, made an impressive comeback with an intense two-hour practice session. Fans inside the stadium were treated to a powerful display of batting as he smashed big shots into the stands repeatedly. However, Hardik Pandya’s absence from the session raised a few questions. Although declared fit by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the all-rounder chose not to train with the team on Monday, opting for rest as a precautionary measure. Also read: ICC in crisis as JioStar exits deal citing heavy losses: No takers for broadcast rights before T20 World Cup 2026 Shubman Gill returns in full flow in Cuttack Shubman Gill started his training with sharp fielding and catching drills, showing no signs of discomfort. He then moved to the nets, where he faced a mix of pace and spin from Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma. After a long chat with head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gill moved to the centre wicket and played a wide range of attacking shots. Nearly 5,000 fans cheered loudly as he continuously hit big sixes, even overshadowing power-hitter Shivam Dube during their joint session. Sanju Samson sweats hard in the nets ahead of the first T20I Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson also batted along with Gill at the side nets, signalling that he may get the place ahead of Jitesh Sharma in the series opener. Captain Suryakumar earlier said that Gill ‘deserved’ to retain his opening spot. Hardik Pandya opts out as a precaution Hardik Pandya, who trained alone for nearly an hour on Sunday, did not take part in Monday’s team session. The management called it a precautionary step. Also read: Team India fined for slow over rate in Raipur ODI: Players face 10% match fee cut against South Africa despite 2-1 victory Suryakumar, speaking at the media interaction earlier, confirmed that Hardik is ‘fit and fine,’ shutting down any injury concerns. Hardik recently returned from a quadricep injury and made an explosive comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 77* off 42 balls and bowling four overs. With 10 T20Is lined up before the T20 World Cup, his workload is expected to be carefully managed.