India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja are set to return to red-ball domestic action immediately after the Men in Blue's 1-2 ODI series
loss to New Zealand, according to a report by Cricbuzz.
The two senior cricketers are expected to join their respective state sides for the upcoming round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, with Punjab scheduled to face Saurashtra on January 22 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
If the plan goes through without any late alterations, Gill and Jadeja could find themselves on opposite sides just days after wrapping up national duties. Gill, who has captained India in recent limited-overs assignments, has not played a Ranji fixture this season.
His last appearance in the tournament came during the previous campaign against Karnataka. Punjab, currently sixth in Group B, have endured an inconsistent run with only one win in their last five matches. The addition of their star opener could provide a timely boost as they push for a stronger finish.
Jadeja, meanwhile, has featured in only one domestic game this season - a clash against Madhya Pradesh. Saurashtra have also struggled for momentum, securing just a single victory in their last five outings and sitting fourth in the group. With the tournament entering a crucial phase, the presence of an experienced campaigner like Jadeja could significantly strengthen their chances of resurgence.
With India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad already announced and neither Gill nor Jadeja part of the setup, both players are likely to be available not just for the January 22 game but also for their final league match.
Captain Gill scored consecutive half-centuries in the series before failing to perform in the final match. For Jadeja, who retired from T20Is earlier, the recent ODI series might well be the last of his 50-over career. The 37-year-old endured a tough outing against New Zealand, scoring only 43 runs in three innings and going wicketless throughout the series.
Jadeja's immediate future in limited-overs cricket remains a key talking point, but for now, both he and Gill are preparing for an important shift back to domestic red-ball cricket.
