Shubman Gill, India's Test and ODI captain, is set to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, mirroring the brief domestic stints of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Named in Punjab's 18-man squad for the List A event, he skipped the opening matches but plans to feature in just two group-stage games to rebuild form ahead of leading India in the home ODI series against New Zealand.
This comes after Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, prompting a strategic ODI focus. Punjab, who have won one out of their first two matches, would be keen to having someone of Gill's stature in the side.
Who will Shubman Gill play against in Vijay Hazare Trophy?
As per a report from Sportstar, he'll suit up for Punjab's 5th and 6th group fixtures, against Sikkim on January 3 and Goa on January 6, both in Jaipur.
The Punjab Cricket Association anticipates his arrival around the new year.
A neck injury from the Kolkata Test sidelined Gill during the India vs South Africa ODIs, followed by another setback in the T20I series. He's now back in action, recently spotted training at PCA Stadium in Mohali.
"He will join the team in Jaipur around January 1 for those two games. While he is interested in playing the final group league fixture against Mumbai as well, it will all depend on the BCCI's scheduling for the camps ahead of the home series against New Zealand," a source was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
With Rohit wrapping up his VHT involvement and Kohli eyeing one more game before the New Zealand ODIs, Gill's selective participation underscores a calculated approach. It's vital for the 25-year-old opener, whose white-ball rhythm has faltered amid injuries, to regain momentum in List A cricket.
Despite his snub from the T20 World Cup squad, Gill's status as captain of the other two formats is not under any threat. The Punjab-born is the leader India is likely to have in the ODI World Cup 2027, barring anything massive in the next 12 months or so.
