Shubman Gill Takes Gautam Gambhir’s Advice [Source: @AhmedGT_/X.com]
India star player Shubman Gill is set to play in the Ranji Trophy for Punjab after struggling to perform in the recent Test series against Australia. The right-handed batter did not meet expectations during the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India lost the series 1-3.
Gill will be part of Punjab’s team for their Ranji Trophy clash against Karnataka, scheduled from January 23 to 26. This decision comes after he faced criticism for his inconsistent performance in Australia. According to reports from the Hindustan Times and Indian Express, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials have confirmed Gill’s availability for the match.
“Yes, Shubman Gill is available for Punjab’s Ranji match against Karnataka on January 23,” a source within Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) told the English Daily.
Shubman Gill's Poor Form In BGT
In the Test series against Australia, Gill struggled to score runs. He missed the first Test due to a finger injury and returned for the remaining matches. However, his scores were disappointing—31, 28, and 1 run in the second and third Tests. He was dropped from the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test but made a comeback in the fourth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground. Even then, his performances were underwhelming, scoring 20 and 13 runs in the final match.
Shubman Gill's Ranji Trophy Stats
Gill has not played much red-ball domestic cricket in recent years. His last Ranji Trophy appearance was in June 2022 during a quarterfinal match against Madhya Pradesh. In that game, he scored just 9 and 19 runs, and Punjab lost by 10 wickets. His only other red-ball appearance in the past four years was in the Duleep Trophy in September 2024.
Gill’s decision to play in the Ranji Trophy is a significant step toward improving his form before the upcoming Champions Trophy. His performance in domestic cricket could help him regain his place in the Indian Test squad.