India's Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is gearing up for a return to domestic cricket. The star batter has confirmed his participation in two crucial Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for his state team, Punjab. This move comes as he looks to fine-tune his skills ahead of the upcoming international assignments.
Gill's Domestic Cricket Schedule Confirmed
Shubman Gill will represent Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and January 6. According to a Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official, Gill has formally communicated his availability for these fixtures. The matches will see Punjab take on Sikkim on the 3rd and Goa on the 6th, with both games scheduled to be held in Jaipur.
Following these List A encounters, the 27-year-old opener will immediately link up with the Indian ODI squad in Vadodara. The team is set to play a three-match series against New Zealand, which concludes on January 18 in Indore.
Red-Ball Commitment: A Focus on Ranji Trophy
Beyond the white-ball commitments, Gill has expressed a strong desire to get valuable red-ball practice. He is expected to feature in the remaining two rounds of the Ranji Trophy for Punjab after the ODI series ends. This is particularly significant as Gill now leads the Indian Test side and will benefit from match time in the longer format.
Punjab's Ranji Trophy schedule includes a pivotal clash against Saurashtra starting January 22 in Rajkot, followed by a match against Karnataka in Mullanpur from January 29. The PCA is optimistic about having their skipper's services for these final two group games. Punjab currently finds itself in sixth position in Group B, having secured just one victory in five outings, and Gill's presence could provide a major boost.
Context and Future Roadmap
This domestic stint follows Gill's omission from India's squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be held at home in February and March. While the national T20 team competes in the global event, Gill will be honing his craft in the domestic circuit, ensuring he remains in prime form.
The focus will then shift to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is slated to begin in the last week of March. This period of domestic cricket is strategically important for Gill to maintain rhythm and lead from the front across formats.
