India Test captain Shubman Gill managed just one run before being dismissed by Chhattisgarh spinner Ajay Mandal on the opening day of Punjab’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group B encounter in New Chandigarh on Sunday.
Gill, who came in at No. 4 after Vihaan Malhotra’s dismissal, faced only five deliveries before Mandal breached his defence on the third ball of the 27th over. His departure left Punjab struggling at 68/3.
The India skipper has returned to domestic red-ball cricket to prepare for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, beginning November 19. Before the Test assignment, Gill is scheduled to captain India in the first three ODIs of the five-match series against New Zealand, starting November 4. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side in the final two matches after Gill departs for Test preparations.
Gill’s brief stay at the crease comes amid an impressive run in international cricket this year. He has scored 200 runs in four Test innings at an average of 50, including a century and a half-century. Across 15 international matches, he has accumulated 1,095 runs at an average of 91.25, registering four centuries and six half-centuries.
His highest score this year is an unbeaten 223 against the West Indies in the second ODI.
Punjab’s squad for the match features Harnoor Pannu, Vihaan Malhotra, Gill, captain Uday Saharan, Jashanpreet Sidhu, Salil Arora, Prabhsimran Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Emanjot Chahal, Harjas Tandon, Gurnoor Brar, Gursimran Singh, Sanvir Singh and Umesh Yadav.
