After being left out of Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has decided to return to domestic cricket to improve his game. The right-hander has been spending time training at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and is set to play two matches for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Gill will have a massive white-ball phase ahead, including an ODI series against New Zealand, the Indian Premier League 2026, and a subsequent limited-overs tour of England. Gill will lead the Men in Blue in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to begin on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara.
Shubman Gill’s Poor T20I Form Led to His Exclusion From India’s T20 World Cup Squad
Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad came after a prolonged struggle for form in the shortest format. The selectors and team management took a tough call and decided to leave Gill out of the World Cup squad.
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Gill returned to the T20I setup during the Asia Cup 2025, where he scored 127 runs in seven matches at an average of 21.16 and a strike rate of 151.19. The opening batter’s inconsistency raised concerns over his place in the playing XI. India then toured Australia for a five-match T20I series.
Gill made 132 runs from five games at an average of 44.00 and a strike rate of 136.08. He also failed to make a strong impact in the subsequent series against South Africa. Since his return to the T20I side, Gill has managed 291 runs from 15 innings at an average of 24.25, without scoring a single half-century.
Shubman Gill Turns to Domestic Cricket After T20 World Cup Snub
Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup plans came as a surprise to many, given his role in the leadership group across formats. The decision was influenced by his lack of form in T20 cricket, with three selectors and the captain opting to move away from him ahead of the tournament.
Following the omission, Gill is set to return to domestic cricket as part of his comeback plan. The Test and ODI captain will represent Punjab in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Officials from the Punjab Cricket Association have confirmed that Gill will feature in Punjab’s group matches against Sikkim (January 3) and Goa (January 6). Both fixtures are scheduled to be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Shubman Gill Focuses on Preparation After T20 World Cup Omission
According to RevSportz, Shubman Gill was informed just minutes before the squad announcement, while he was still with the T20I group in Ahmedabad. This lack of clarity proved disappointing for Gill, who has consistently spoken about the importance of transparent communication.
Despite sharing a good working relationship with Gautam Gambhir, there is a sense of disappointment over how the situation was handled. Gill has since shifted his focus fully to preparation, putting in long batting sessions at the PCA Stadium to work on his basics and discipline.
The opening batter has also increased his focus on fitness, an area that has troubled him at key moments in recent times. He will look to regain momentum in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having finished 2025 as the leading scorer across formats with 1,764 runs.
Also read: Virat Kohli Vijay Hazare Trophy participation: Return date and opposition revealed
