Shubman Gill, who leads India’s ODI and Test teams, is set to return to domestic cricket. You will see him represent Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy during the 2025-26 season, marking an unexpected but significant move.
No T20 plans shift focus
This return comes after Gill missed out on India’s T20 setup, including the 2026 T20 World Cup plans. With no immediate T20I duties, you now see him focus on red ball and 50 over cricket at the domestic level.
Punjab squad packed with names
Gill has been named in Punjab’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 squad. He joins Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Naman Dhir, Ramandeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Salil Arora.
Captaincy call still pending
What stands out is that Punjab has not announced a captain yet. This has caught your attention, especially with Gill being the senior most international player in the squad for the tournament.
Confirmed matches in Jaipur
Gill is expected to play two List A matches for Punjab. These are against Sikkim on January 3 and Goa on January 6. Both games will be played in Jaipur.
Ranji Trophy availability confirmed
Gill has informed the Punjab Cricket Association that he is available for the remaining Ranji Trophy matches. This gives Punjab a major boost as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
ODI duty before red ball return
After domestic duties, Gill will join India’s ODI squad in Vadodara. The three match series against New Zealand ends on January 18 in Indore. He will then return straight to Ranji cricket.
Key Ranji fixtures ahead
Punjab will face Saurashtra in Rajkot from January 22. They will then take on Karnataka in Mullanpur starting January 29. You can expect Gill to be central to both games.
Recent T20 setback explained
Gill recently served as vice captain in the T20I series in South Africa. A dip in form and team changes led to him being left out of T20 plans, opening the door for this domestic stint.
Tough group awaits Punjab
The Vijay Hazare Trophy runs from December 24 to January 18. Punjab is placed in Group C alongside Mumbai, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Goa. All matches are in Jaipur.
Early fixtures set the tone
Punjab begin their campaign against Maharashtra on December 24. They then face Chhattisgarh on December 26. These games will set the rhythm for the rest of the group stage.
A chance to reset and respond
Gill’s domestic return gives you a clear message. He is using this phase to work on his game, regain form, and strengthen his case across formats for the national side.
Many F-1 students have reported issues with OPT cards getting lost during delivery, even after…
At a time when there is growing opposition to the H-1B visa program targeting Indians…
