Shubman Gill to miss Punjab’s Ranji Trophy season opener

India captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab’s Ranji Trophy opener against Assam in New Chandigarh, though he could return for the team’s next match against Chhattisgarh starting on October 18.

Former India U-19 captain Uday Saharan will lead Punjab in Gill’s absence. The national selection committee has called for available international players to feature in at least one Ranji Trophy match, with Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Gurnoor Brar and Akash Deep among those who have bid for their teams.

Gill, who is not part of the India A squad, could use the Chhattisgarh match to gain valuable match practice ahead of India’s tour of New Zealand, where he is expected to play in the first three ODIs.

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