Shubman Gill Left Out of T20 World Cup, Prepares for Vijay Hazare Return

Post by : Mina Rahman

Shubman Gill, who captains India in ODI and Test formats, has faced an unexpected career challenge by being excluded from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. The 25-year-old batsman's omission stems from a tough stretch in T20 internationals, during which he managed only 291 runs in 15 innings and failed to reach fifty in recent matches.

Nevertheless, Gill is gearing up for a robust return on the domestic scene. He will lead Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s top List A cricket tournament, commencing on December 24. This event serves as a pivotal platform for Gill to showcase his talents and win back the selectors’ faith prior to India's international commitments in January.

In addition to Gill, Punjab's squad includes notable players like Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma, although their participation is contingent on the hectic cricket calendar. India is scheduled to embark on a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, followed by a five-match T20I series beginning January 21.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed centrally contracted players to participate in domestic events before their next international engagements. Thus, Gill is expected to significantly contribute to the Vijay Hazare Trophy leading up to the ODI series.

Punjab boasts a well-equipped squad featuring formidable batsmen and all-rounders such as Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, and Harpreet Brar. The team will compete against groups including Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa, and Mumbai. The league phase will conclude on January 8, right before India's international matches begin.

For Shubman Gill, the Vijay Hazare Trophy signifies more than a mere tournament—it presents a crucial chance to secure his position in India's white-ball squad and reaffirm his future leadership potential across all cricket formats.