Duck or century? How did Shubman Gill fare on his Ranji Trophy return for Punjab?
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Shubman Gill was dropped from the India’s T20I team for the New Zealand series as well as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
In their Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Elite Group B encounter against Saurashtra, Punjab are led by India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill. The game is being played in Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium C.
Shubman Gill, the Indian Test and ODI captain, is not playing in the New Zealand T20I series and won’t feature in the subsequent ICC T20 World Cup. He was dropped from the T20I side after his poor returns with the bat, and has been selected for Punjab’s Ranji Trophy team as a result.
With the match against Saurashtra, Shubman Gill, who hasn’t represented Punjab in the Ranji Trophy in a while, made his comeback to the local red-ball competition. His most recent appearance was during the India-New Zealand ODI series, which India ultimately lost 2-1.
Shubman Gill’s flop show for Punjab: gets out for a two-ball duck against Saurashtra
Shubman Gill finished as the top scorer in the 2025 calendar year after having an incredible run in the game’s longest format. Although he didn’t give himself a strong start, he would have loved to continue the same run into the 2026 season as well.
When Indian captain Shubman Gill returned to play against Saurashtra at the Niranjan Shah Ground in Rajkot—the same venue where India had previously won their opening ODI against New Zealand in the series—he was unable to establish his dominance in the red ball format.
After being removed for a two-ball duck, the Punjab captain’s team was reduced to 73/4. In addition to taking consecutive wickets, Parth Bhut trapped Gill plumb in front of three stumps.
It was a good way for Punjab to put pressure on Saurashtra after a brilliant bowling show by spinner Harpreet Brar. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat had won the toss and chosen to bat first.
Jay Gohil starred with the bat, scoring 82, while Prerak Mankad made 32 runs, and the duo were the only ones to make substantial contributions. Even India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja failed, as he fell for 7 runs in six balls.
The Saurashtra team was bundled out for 172 runs. For Punjab, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar starred with 6/38.
Punjab might have thought to get a huge lead, but losing opener Harnoor Singh for a duck and a 50-run stand between Prabhsimran Singh (44) and Uday Saharan (23) steadied Punjab. But Dharmendrasinh Jadeja removed both the batters, while Shubman Gill fell to Parth Bhut as Punjab got all out for 139.
Where is the Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Saurashtra being played?
The ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 game between Punjab and Saurashtra is being played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium C, Rajkot.
How many runs Saurashtra scored in their first innings?
Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and chose to bat, but the team was bundled for 172 runs.
Why is Shubman Gill playing for Punjab in Ranji Trophy?
Shubman Gill is playing for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy tournament, as he was not picked in the Indian squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup 2026.
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