India's Test captain gets red‑ball practice in Ranji before NZ ODI series

Ahead of the Indian team's three‑match ODI series in New Zealand, captain Shubman Gill has been drafted into Punjab's Ranji Trophy squad for the second‑round game against Chhattisgarh. The match, scheduled for Sunday at New Chandigarh, provides Gill with a short spell of first‑class cricket before he joins the national side abroad.

Gill's inclusion comes at a time when he will only feature in the first three ODIs of the New Zealand tour, after which Shreyas Iyer will take over white‑ball duties. The captain will then devote his attention to the two‑match Test series that follows.

India A will also be in New Zealand, playing three unofficial Tests with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in the lineup. Gill will not feature for the A side, despite earlier expectations.

The Ranji fixture offers Gill essential red‑ball practice because the third four‑day match in Lincoln (7‑10 November) clashes with India's second and third ODIs. He is expected to bat at number four, potentially replacing Jasprit Singh in the playing eleven.

Punjab also welcomes back wicket‑keeper‑batsman Prabhjot Singh, who missed the previous game while on India A duty. He contributed 39 and 17 runs against Australia A in a recent limited‑overs series.

Punjab's domestic campaign began well, earning three points after a first‑innings lead over Assam, a match highlighted by centuries from Vihan Malhotra, Imanjot Chahal and Salil Arora. Fast‑bowling veteran Umesh Yadav returned to first‑class cricket, capturing five wickets for 70 runs – his 16th five‑for.

With Gill, Prabhjot Singh and three new centurions, Punjab's batting order looks equipped to sustain its early-season momentum against Chhattisgarh at the newly built PCA stadium.