Team India star batter Shubman Gill was spotted honing his batting skills at his home venue in Mohali ahead of India’s upcoming home ODI series against New Zealand. The opener was recently left out of the T20I squad for the 2026 World Cup following a lean patch towards the end of the year.
The selectors made a bold decision to drop the vice-captain after his stint in the T20I setup failed to deliver results. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan earned a recall, while all-rounder Axar Patel was reinstated as vice-captain in the 15-member squad led by Suryakumar Yadav.
Following the surprise omission, Gill was included in Punjab’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 as he continued his recovery from a foot injury picked up during the T20I series against South Africa. Although he is yet to feature in the domestic List A tournament, Gill appeared in excellent form during net sessions as he works towards a return to competitive action.
A short clip on social media showed Gill playing fluent shots all around the wicket as he tuned up for a key year ahead. You can watch the video here:
🚨 Shubman Gill is working hard for VHT and IND vs NZ ODIs series ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/TKLWE1zUyQ
— Ahmed Says (@AhmedGT_) December 25, 2025
With India’s next Test match still seven months away, Shubman Gill faces an important white-ball stretch that includes the ODI series against New Zealand, the 2026 IPL, and a subsequent tour of England.
Shubman Gill Set For First Home ODI Captaincy In IND vs NZ 2026 Series
The opener, who is still adjusting to his new role as India’s ODI captain, will be in charge for the first time in the format on home conditions during the upcoming series against New Zealand. In his first stint as ODI skipper, India suffered a 1–2 series loss in Australia in October.
The three-match ODI series against the Blackcaps will get underway on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by a five-match T20I series starting from January 21.
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