Last Updated:
Shubman Gill’s training seems to be going in full flow as he gears up for the upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture.
Shubman Gill practices in the nets ahead of his Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka. (Image: Screengrab)
Shubman Gill has already started preparing for the Ranji Trophy. The top-order batter has been included in the Punjab squad for the sixth round against Karnataka. Ahead of his domestic assignment, Gill was spotted honing his batting skills during a practice session at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.
His father Lakhwinder Singh was also at the ground to watch the 25-year-old in action. In a video going viral on social media, Gill was captured smashing the ball hard in nets, with his coach appreciating the shot.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for international crickets to feature in domestic tournaments. It has led several members of the Indian team to shift their focus to the Ranji Trophy. Shubman Gill has not featured in the competition since 2022. He last played a quarter-final match against Madhya Pradesh in Alur.
Gill failed to match the expectations in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy. He missed the series opener against Australia due to a thumb injury. The youngster later appeared in three Tests and managed only 93 runs as India lost the series 3-1.
With a top score of 31, Gill batted at a below-par average of 18.60. He will hope to regain his form ahead of the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin in February. Ahead of the ICC event, India will play a white-ball series against England at home. The selectors have already named the squad for the five T20Is.
Gill is expected to feature in the three-match ODI series against England which will be India’s final assignment before the Champions Trophy. His last appearance in the format came against Sri Lanka in August last year.
With Gill returning to the Ranji Trophy, he has the opportunity to train under Punjab coach Wasim Jaffer who remains the all-time leading run-scorer in the domestic red-ball tournament. Gill has made 60 appearances so far in first-class cricket. He has registered 4481 runs at an average of 47.16 including 13 centuries and 19 fifties.
Gill will be keen to showcase his A-game when Punjab face Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on January 23.
