Shubman Gill turns to domestic grind after T20 WC snub

Shubman Gill will return to the domestic spotlight as he looks to rebuild his white-ball credentials following a notable omission from India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Indian captain in Tests and ODIs has been named in Punjab’s squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which gets underway on December 24, offering him a timely platform to reassert his form.

The 25-year-old’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, as well as the preceding T20I series against New Zealand, marked an unexpected pause in an otherwise upward international trajectory. The decision was influenced by Gill’s struggles in T20Is over recent months, where he scored 291 runs across 15 innings without registering a half-century.

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Despite the setback, Gill continues to enjoy the backing of the BCCI, which has identified him as a future all-format leader. The List A tournament now presents an opportunity for the elegant right-hander to send a strong message to selectors and underline his pedigree in limited-overs cricket.

Gill will be joined in the Punjab squad by fellow India players Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma, though their participation could be cut short due to international commitments. India are scheduled to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series beginning January 11, followed by a five-match T20I series from January 21.

Punjab are grouped with Mumbai, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Sikkim, with the league phase running until January 8. All of Punjab’s matches will be played in Jaipur. With the BCCI reportedly insisting that centrally contracted players remain active in domestic tournaments until their next international assignment, Gill is expected to represent Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy until the national duties resume.

After bowing out at the quarter-final stage last season, Punjab will be keen for a deeper run this time  and Gill’s presence could prove central to those ambitions.