Shubman Gill returns to Ranji Trophy for Punjab against Chhattisgarh

India skipper back in domestic fold

India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will be the cynosure of all eyes when he returns to Ranji Trophy action for Punjab against Chhattisgarh at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh on Sunday.

Gill missed Punjab's opening game of the campaign but has now reported to the squad. "Gill arrived in Chandigarh yesterday and will play the match. He is keen to get some red-ball practice before the tour of New Zealand, where he will miss the last two ODIs to prepare for the Tests," a source told TOI.

The 25-year-old arrives in red-hot limited-overs form, having been in outstanding touch during India's 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies at home, where he compiled 334 runs at an average of 167.

The Ranji outing offers Gill the ideal opportunity to sharpen his skills in the longer format ahead of India's two-Test series in New Zealand, which gets underway on November 15.

The BCCI's earlier directive, reported on September 30, had signalled that New Zealand-bound Test hopefuls would be asked to turn out for their state sides in the Ranji Trophy as part of the build-up to the tour.