India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill endured a disappointing return to the Ranji Trophy on Sunday, scoring just one run for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in their second-round Elite Group B match at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Batting at number four, Gill arrived after Dharmendrasinh Jadeja dismissed Vihaan Malhotra leg before wicket. The 27-year-old faced five deliveries before left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal bowled him in the 27th over.
Mandal beat Gill with a delivery that held its line and passed through the gap between bat and pad before striking the middle stump.
Gill had missed Punjab’s season-opening fixture against Assam but returned for the Chhattisgarh match to gain red-ball practice ahead of India’s tour of New Zealand.
Although Gill will not feature in the T20I squad, he will lead India’s preparations across five ODIs and two Tests on the tour.
The series will contribute to India’s build-up for the 2027 ODI World Cup and their bid to secure a place in the World Test Championship final.
Gill will play only the first three ODIs before sitting out the remaining two to prepare for the Tests in Christchurch and Wellington.
Elsewhere, experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami missed Bengal’s second-round match against Services at the Air Force Complex ground in Palam.
Shami trained with the Bengal squad on Saturday, but the team did not provide an official explanation for his absence. His younger brother, Mohammed Kaif, replaced him in the playing XI.
Shami had opened the season strongly against Delhi in Kalyani, taking five wickets, including a four-wicket haul.
Bengal also missed pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, who travelled to New Zealand with India A for the red-ball series.