NEW DELHI: India's T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill has been declared fit to play the opening T20I against South Africa after receiving clearance from the Sports Science team at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.

Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the Kolkata Test, was included in the squad pending his fitness assessment. He has now successfully completed his rehabilitation, along with all required skill-training and Return-to-Play (RTP) protocols, making him available for selection for the series opener.

"Shubman Gill has successfully completed his rehabilitation at CoE and has met the requisite criteria to be declared fit for all formats of the game," a communication from the CoE has gone to the team management's Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) team, comprising physio Kamlesh Jain, strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux and sports doctor Dr Charles.

Gill had suffered a whiplash on the second day of the Kolkata Test and had to be hospitalised for a couple days and administered injection.

He missed the ongoing ODI series but all doubts over his availability for the T20 leg were dispelled as he completed his rehabilitation and also performed his skills training -- batting and fielding -- in match simulation at CoE.

On Saturday, all those who only play T20Is will be linking up in Cuttack to start their first session from Sunday.

(With PTI Inputs)