Is Shubman Gill Playing Today in Goa vs Punjab Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26?

Punjab is facing Goa in a highly anticipated match of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. As the Punjab squad arrived at the Rajasthan Cricket Academy ground on Monday morning, a small group of fans were nearby, hoping to see Shubman Gill, who is one of the best ODI batsmen in the world.

Gill greeted them with a wave and posed for a few photos before joining his teammates. Gill, who had missed Punjab’s previous Vijay Hazare Trophy group match against Sikkim due to sickness and is all set to feature in the match against Goa.

Is Shubman Gill Playing Today in Goa vs Punjab Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26?

Punjab are currently placed on top of the Vijay Hazare Trophy points table in Elite Group C, with 16 points from five matches so far. If they win both of their remaining fixtures, their spot will be confirmed in the knockout stage. Even one win could be enough to take them through, although net run rate may become important if three teams finish with the same points.

Shubman Gill Vijay Hazare Trophy participation will provide Punjab's batting unit with a major lift as he is back in the lineup and available for this match against Goa. Prabhsimran Singh is expected to remain the captain. This match will also serve as ideal match practice for Gill ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to begin on Sunday, January 11.

Shubman Gill Fails to Perform in Goa vs Punjab Vijay Hazare Trophy Match

Shubman Gill’s return to competitive cricket saw him in action for a brief period as he managed just 11 runs from 12 deliveries in the Goa vs Punjab Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Jaipur. This was his first appearance since a toe injury had forced him to miss India’s fifth T20I against South Africa last month. Gill was removed by right-arm pacer V. Koushik, who had also struck in the third over by dismissing Punjab’s other opener and skipper, Prabhsimran Singh, during the 212-run chase.

He is returning after dealing with consecutive setbacks, having earlier picked up a neck injury during the opening Test against South Africa in November, which also ruled him out of the ODI series against the Proteas. Gill was the T20I vice-captain in that series, and later, he was left out of India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against the Kiwis and the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins next month.

Shubman Gill was originally expected to feature in Punjab’s previous game against Sikkim, but his comeback was pushed back after he was sidelined due to illness. The 26-year-old, set to captain India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting later this week, has been going through a rough patch recently, where he is getting those starts but is unable to convert them into a substantial score.