In an unexpected turn of events, India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill was absent from the Punjab playing XI for their Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match against Sikkim on Saturday. The match is being played at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur.
Unexpected Absence from the Lineup
Gill, who is part of the Punjab squad for the tournament and was slated to play two matches against Sikkim and Goa, was surprisingly listed among the benched players. This development came as a shock to many fans and followers, as the star batter was expected to make his return to competitive cricket after a period sidelined by injuries.
As of now, the Punjab Cricket Association or the team management has not released an official statement clarifying the reason behind Gill's exclusion from the starting eleven. The absence was noted when the team sheets were announced for the crucial fixture.
Reported Cause: A Case of Food Poisoning
According to a report from Sportstar, the probable reason for Shubman Gill missing the game is a sudden bout of food poisoning. This unforeseen illness seems to have disrupted his much-anticipated comeback to the domestic cricket circuit.
The match date, 3rd January 2026, was supposed to mark Gill's return to action. His non-participation is a significant setback for the Punjab team, which would have relied heavily on his experience and batting prowess against Sikkim.
Gill's Current Career Phase and Context
This incident adds to what has been a challenging phase in Shubman Gill's illustrious career. The stylish right-handed batsman has recently struggled with inconsistent form and a series of injuries that have kept him away from the game.
His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was seen as a critical opportunity to regain match fitness and rhythm ahead of important international assignments. This latest setback, albeit temporary if the food poisoning reports are accurate, is an unfortunate hurdle in his path to returning to peak performance.
The focus now shifts to Punjab's next fixture against Goa, and whether Gill will recover in time to take the field. The cricket community will be keenly awaiting further official updates on the captain's health and availability.
