On Day 1 of Punjab’s Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh in New Chandigarh on October 18, 2026, Shubman Gill made a lackluster comeback to domestic red-ball cricket, scoring just 1 run. Shubman Gill returned to Ranji Trophy cricket ahead of India’s Test series against New Zealand, which starts on November 19, after being added to Punjab’s squad at the last minute.
After Vihaan Malhotra was dismissed on the opening ball of the 27th over, Gill entered at number four. After facing just five deliveries overall, he managed a single off the second ball before being bowled by Ajay Mandal on the third ball of the 27th over. Despite Gill’s inclusion in the team, Uday Saharan is still Punjab’s captain for the Ranji Trophy season.
Shubman Gill has been playing well abroad in 2026, which coincides with the quick outing. He has amassed 1,095 runs at an average of 91.25 in 15 international games this year, including six fifties and four hundreds in 15 innings. His best score was 223 not out against the West Indies in the second ODI.
How is Shubman Gill performing in Test matches before the New Zealand series?
Shubman Gill has amassed 200 runs at an average of 50.00 over four innings in three Test matches this year, including one fifty and one century. His choice to return to Ranji Trophy cricket prior to the New Zealand Tests highlights the significance he and the team management place on match practice in the longer format, and those figures show a strong if not prolific red-ball record in 2026.
Before the first Test, which starts on November 19, Gill has a few weeks to develop his form and rhythm through domestic cricket.
Gill will play in the first three games of India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which takes place from November 4 to November 15. He will leave the white-ball portion of the tour after those three ODIs to concentrate on getting ready for Tests, with Shreyas Iyer taking over as ODI captain for the remaining games.
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In addition to the senior tour, India A will play three unofficial Test matches against New Zealand A from October 24 to November 10. This will give the entire team more red-ball practice in New Zealand conditions.
