Shubman Gill returns to Ranji Trophy for Punjab ahead of NZ Tests
Synopsis
Indian skipper Shubman Gill has been added to Punjab's squad for their second-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Chhattisgarh. Gill is returning to domestic red-ball cricket for practice ahead of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Indian skipper Shubman Gill has made himself available for Punjab's second-round Ranji Trophy fixture at New Chandigarh against Chhattisgarh, with the former U19 captain Uday Saharan leading the side, reported Cricinfo. Gill is the last-minute addition to squad, returning for some domestic red-ball cricket ahead of the New Zealand Test matches starting from November 19 onwards.
Stellar Form and International Schedule
Before this, he will feature in the first three ODIs of the five-match series against the Kiwis taking place from November 4 to 15, with his deputy Shreyas Iyer set to take the ODI captaincy armband once Gill leaves for Test preparation. In three Tests this year, Gill has made 200 runs in four innings at an average of 50.00, with a ton and fifty each. He is enjoying an extraordinary international cricket run on the back of incredibly rich form in ODIs. Across 15 international matches this year, Gill has made 1,095 runs at an average of 91.25, with four centuries and six fifties in 15 innings, with a best score of 223* against West Indies in the second ODI.
Domestic Cricket Prowess
In 14 first-class matches for Punjab, Gill has scored 1,296 runs at an average of 58.90, with five centuries and fifties across 25 innings and a best score of 268.
Test Preparations and India A Tour
India's tour runs alongside an India A tour, with them playing three unofficial matches against NZ from October 24 to November 10. Gill will miss the chance to play this series and get used to NZ conditions for Tests as the third unofficial Test will run from November 7 to 10, alongside the second and third ODIs. India's Test openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are, however in the squad for all three India A games.
Punjab Team Dynamics
It is likely that the Indian skipper bats at number four for Punjab, with Jashanpreet Sidhu making way for him. The batting line-up will also feature Prabhsimran Singh, who missed the campaign opener against Assam due to his India A commitments against Australia A in the one-dayers.
Punjab secured three points on the back of a first-innings lead against Assam, with debutant Vihaan Malhotra, Emanjot Chahal and Salil Arora scoring tons. The match also marked the return of veteran pacer Umesh Yadav to first-class cricket after two years, having moved to Punjab as a guest player for the season. He picked up his 16th first-class five-wicket haul.
Punjab Squad
Punjab squad: Harnoor Pannu, Vihaan Malhotra, Shubman Gill, Uday Saharan (capt), Jashanpreet Sidhu, Salil Arora (wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Ramandeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Emanjot Chahal, Harjas Tandon, Gurnoor Brar, Gursimran Singh, Sanvir Singh, Umesh Yadav. (ANI)