Shubman Gill experienced a challenging start for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, scoring just one run on the first day of their Elite Group B match against Chhattisgarh in New Chandigarh on October 18. This appearance comes ahead of India’s critical two-match Test series against New Zealand.The India Test captain, a right-handed batter, came to the crease at number four following Vihaan Malhotra’s dismissal on the first ball of the 26th over. Gill was bowled by Ajay Mandal on the third ball of the 27th over after facing five deliveries. Mandal successfully breached Gill’s defence, leaving Punjab at 68 for three wickets, with Gill having managed only a single run on the second ball of his innings.Gill was a late addition to the Punjab squad, returning to domestic red-ball cricket prior to the New Zealand Test matches scheduled to commence from November 19. Before the Test series begins, he is expected to participate in the first three One Day Internationals (ODIs) of the five-match series against New Zealand, running from November 4 to 15. His deputy, Shreyas Iyer, is set to assume the ODI captaincy following Gill’s departure to focus on Test preparations..In the current year, Gill has played three Test matches, accumulating 200 runs in four innings at an average of 50.00, including one century and one half-century. He has maintained impressive form in international cricket, scoring 1,095 runs in 15 international matches this year at an average of 91.25, with four centuries and six fifties. His highest score is an unbeaten 223 against the West Indies in the second ODI.Punjab’s squad for the match includes Harnoor Pannu, Vihaan Malhotra, Shubman Gill, Uday Saharan (captain), Jashanpreet Sidhu, Salil Arora (wicketkeeper), Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Ramandeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Emanjot Chahal, Harjas Tandon, Gurnoor Brar, Gursimran Singh, Sanvir Singh, and Umesh Yadav.
Shubman Gill scores one in Ranji Trophy return ahead of NZ Test
