Shubman Gill trains hard in nets after T20 WC snub:Star cricketer to play Vijay Hazare Trophy ahead of ODI series against New Zealand

Shubman Gill has resumed training in the nets after being left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The right-hander arrived in Mohali at the IS Bindra Cricket Stadium on 24 December and worked hard in the nets. Gill, who was India’s vice-captain in T20Is, looked destined to make it to T20 World Cup 2026. But he was left out of the squad announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) secretary Devajit Saikia, due to poor performance in T20Is. On 25 December, Gill sweated it out in the nets and trained with local players. The right-hander is reportedly set to practice at the IS Bindra Cricket Stadium till 31 December, according to sources associated with the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA). He will look to regain his form and make a memorable comeback. Gill reportedly called up the PCA officials and expressed his desire to train at the stadium. He then trained hard for about two hours. Gill also practiced in central wicket and played against both pace and spin bowlers. The PCA made all the arrangements for Gill to train at the venue. Also read: Shubman Gill’s wavy cricketing arc in 2025:From historic Test captaincy kick off in England to being ignored for T20 World Cup Shubman Gill’s opportunity to return to form Gill will look to use the Vijay Hazare Trophy to regain his form. The India ODI and Test captain was named in Punjab’s squad along with other top names like Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. Punjab, however, have not named a captain yet. A poor show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy might raise questions on his place in the ODI team as well. Gill is expected to be back to lead India in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand that starts on 11 January. Shubman Gill reportedly set to miss Punjab’s first four matches It is unclear as to how many matches Shubman Gill will play for Punjab. He would reportedly miss the first four matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. All four of these matches are to be played in Jaipur. No fifty in last 18 innings in T20Is Gill was included in India’s playing XI in T20Is at the expense of Sanju Samson, who has had a good run at the top of the order. However, the right-hander was not able to score even a single half-century in the last 18 T20I innings. He scored 377 runs at a strike rate of 135.12 and missed the last T20I against South Africa due to an injury. Also read: Shreyas Iyer recovers from injury ahead of NZ ODI series: Likely to join Mumbai squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; awaits fitness clearance from medical team ‘Gill wasn’t dropped due to poor form’ While announcing India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, Agarkar had explained Gill’s exclusion by stating that it was a strategic call and one that was made based on team combination. India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav also gave a similar clarification, stating that Gill wasn’t dropped due to poor form but because India needed a wicketkeeper in the top-order. Shubman Gill’s connection with Mohali
Mohali holds special significance in Gill’s career. It was here that he started playing cricket. His mentor and father, Lakhwinder Singh, moved to Mohali from Fazilka in 2007 to support Gill’s budding cricket career take off. Gill had also trained intensively in Mohali before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India won. Gill’s act of social service
Apart from his training, Gill has been active in social service. Some time ago, he donated medical equipment worth approximately ₹35 lakh to Mohali’s District Hospital. These included ventilators, syringe pumps, OT tables, ceiling lights, ICU beds, and X-ray systems. He had sent all this equipment to the hospital through his close relative, Dr. Kushaldeep. Punjab’s squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy:
The Punjab team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) includes Abhishek Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper), Harnoor Pannu, Anmolpreet Singh, Uday Saharan, Naman Dhir, Salil Arora (Wicketkeeper), Sanvir Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Harpreet Brar, Raghu Sharma, Krish Bhagat, Gaurav Chaudhary, Sukhdeep Bajwa.