Shubman Gill Set to Rejoin Punjab for Ranji Trophy Match Against Karnataka

Synopsis

Shubman Gill has confirmed his participation in Punjab's upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, marking his return to the tournament since 2022. His inclusion aims to strengthen the squad, which is missing key players due to international commitments. Punjab currently holds a challenging position in the tournament standings.

Key Takeaways

Shubman Gill returns to the Punjab squad for the Ranji Trophy.
He last played in the tournament in 2022.
Punjab is currently fifth in Group A.
Key players are absent due to national duties.
Gill's performance in Australia has raised concerns.

New Delhi, Jan 14 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has reportedly made himself available for Punjab's sixth-round Ranji Trophy clash against Karnataka. His last appearance in the Ranji Trophy was in 2022 when he competed against Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinals held in Alur.

Gill's return will bolster Punjab's lineup, which will miss senior players Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh, as they have been called up for India's T20I squad ahead of the five-match series against England starting January 22 in Kolkata.

As per an ESPNcricinfo report, the right-handed batsman has confirmed his readiness for the match against Karnataka, which kicks off on January 23 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The 25-year-old's return to the domestic circuit comes after the Indian team management enforced strict regulations for national players following India's 3-1 defeat in the Test series down under. Additionally, his subpar performance outside of Asia, where he has averaged just 17.64 in 18 innings since June 2021, is under scrutiny.

Gill faced difficulties in Australia, scoring 31, 28, 1, 20, and 13 over five innings after a finger injury kept him out of the series opener in Perth. His average for the series was 18.60.

Moreover, he was excluded from India's XI during the Boxing Day Test, with KL Rahul taking the No. 3 position, while Rohit Sharma shifted back to the opening role after batting in the middle order during the second Test.

Currently, Punjab's prospects of advancing to the Ranji Trophy playoffs appear slim, as they sit fifth in Group A with just one win from five matches.