Mohali: India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill’s much-anticipated return to domestic red-ball cricket ended in disappointment. Playing for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, Gill was dismissed for a mere 1 run.
Gill, who opted to skip the first round of the Ranji Trophy, took the field to gain crucial match practice and rhythm ahead of India’s grueling six-week tour of New Zealand, where he is scheduled to lead the national side in a five-match ODI series and a two-match Test series. However, his stay at the crease on Sunday was alarmingly brief.
Coming in to bat at number four after the dismissal of Vihaan Malhotra on the very first ball of the 26th over, Gill struggled to settle down. His innings lasted only five deliveries before he was completely outfoxed by Chhattisgarh’s left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal in the 27th over.
Mandal delivered a sharply pitched ball that straightened after hitting the deck. Before Gill could fully read the line and get his bat down to defend, the ball squeezed through the gap between his bat and pad, crashing directly into the middle stump. Opening his account with a single off his second ball, Gill’s hopes of playing a solid, confidence-boosting innings were instantly dashed, leaving Punjab struggling at 68 for 3.
The 27-year-old batsman has otherwise enjoyed a stellar year in international Test cricket, amassing 200 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 50.00, including a century and a half-century. However, this sudden dismissal against a domestic spinner on a home pitch might raise minor concerns for the Indian team management. With the New Zealand Test series fast approaching—which is critical for India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final—Gill’s ability to tackle both pace and spin will be heavily scrutinised.
Before turning his full attention to the Test matches, Gill is expected to lead India in the first three ODIs against New Zealand starting November 4, following which his deputy, Shreyas Iyer, will take over the ODI captaincy.