Shubman Gill in Ranji Trophy: India captain fails miserably for Punjab weeks before New Zealand Test series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- India's ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill feature for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in Ranji Trophy.
- Shubman Gill is preparing for India's upcoming ODI and Test series against New Zealand.
- Gill was dimissed for 1 run in the first innings for Punjab.
Shubman Gill fails miserably for Punjab weeks before New Zealand Test series
India's ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill wanted to sharpen his red-ball skills ahead of the crucial tour of New Zealand, which starts with a T20I series this month.
The five-match T20 series will be followed by a five-match ODI contest and then two Test matches. While Gill did not make it to the T20I squad, he will continue to lead the Indian team in the ODI and Test series.
With the ODI and Test contests starting next month, Gill decided to feature for Punjab in their Ranji Trophy clash against Chhattisgarh, which started on October 18. It was a perfect opportunity for Gill to sharpen his skills and get much-needed practice before facing the Black Caps away from home next month.
Unfortunately, the first innings in the Ranji clash proved to be a disaster for the India captain as his time at the crease was short-lived. Gill came out to bat at No.4 and faced only five balls before being dismissed by Ajay Mandal for just one run.
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Indian fans worried about Shubman Gill's form ahead of New Zealand series
Indian cricket team fans were understandably worried after Gill was sent back to the pavilion for just one run by a rookie domestic bowler. Gill clearly struggled against the spinner and it came only weeks before one of the toughest Test series that India have contested in recent years.
Shubman Gill’s Ranji sojourn ends in 5 balls, is bowled by the left arm spinner Ajay Mandal
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 18, 2026
Not a great start for Shubman Gill in red-ball cricket. He turned up for the Ranji Trophy to prepare for the upcoming Test tour and got dismissed for just 1 run today.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 18, 2026
I don't hate Shubman Gill but you all have to admit Sachin & Virat never got bullied by some Ranji level spinner! Shubman is far behind, he has to work a lot to reach the levels of Sachin & Virat! https://t.co/ObbyPX1VK6
— Cricketwood (@thecricketwood) October 18, 2026
🚨 SHAME ON BCCI FOR GIFTING SHUBMAN GILL TEST AND ODI CAPTAINCY! 🤡 He couldn't even handle domestic-level bowlers and scored 1 off 5! IF HE CAN'T HANDLE TOUGH PITCHES, HOW IS HE SUPPOSED TO LEAD TEAM INDIA TO WORLD CUP GLORY? 🤯 https://t.co/HiOEwN25qI
— NiiK (@ClassyNiikX) October 18, 2026
Shubman gill got humbled by quality spin in ranji trophy. https://t.co/Z93odHHdkZ
— ~ Wade` (@WadeCric) October 18, 2026
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Shubman Gill to miss last ODI of the series to prepare for New Zealand Test series
BCCI selectors have applied a two-team policy for the upcoming ODI series in New Zealand. They have picked one squad that will be led by regular captain Shubman Gill for the first three matches of the series.
In the final two games, Gill, along with a group of cricketers, who are part of India's Test squad, will leave the ODI team. The second group of players will be led by Shreyas Iyer in the final two games of the series.
This unusual call has been taken due to the fixture crunch and lack of days between the final ODI and the first Test. As India want all of their Test players to be at their best of form and fitness, some of the members of the Test team won't feature in the final two matches of the ODI series.
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