Delhi, January 14, 2025 : India batter Shubman Gill will likely make his first appearance in Ranji Trophy tournament after more than two years, when the 2024/25 season resumes on January 23. Gill’s reported move comes amid the increasing talk around the need for India’s star batters to prioritise domestic cricket in the wake of the poor show in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
“Yes, Shubman Gill is available for Punjab’s Ranji match against Karnataka on January 23,” a source within Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) confirmed to Hindustan Times. Punjab currently stand second in Group C of the First-Class tournament, after Karnataka, despite both claiming six wins in the first seven matches this season, albeit separated by net run rate.
If you take out the Duleep Trophy appearance in September 2024, Gill has played only one red-ball domestic game in the last four years. His only previous appearance in Ranji Trophy came in June 2022, in the quarterfinal clash against Madhya Pradesh in Bengaluru. The right-hander scored 9 and 19 in Punjab’s 10-wicket loss, and also bowled an over. It was also his only appearance in the tournament post his Test debut in December 2020 against Australia in the Boxing Day match.
Earlier, it was reported by Hindustan Times that India captain Rohit Sharma will attend Mumbai’s practice session on Tuesday. The 37-year-old the Mumbai team management about his decision, although he is yet to confirm his participation in the Ranji Trophy tournament, with the side next facing Jammu and Kashmir.
Summary: Shubman Gill is ready to make his Ranji Trophy comeback, available for Punjab’s upcoming match against Karnataka after a two-year hiatus.