India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill made his return to domestic cricket for Punjab in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy after being left out of the T20I squad and missing a place in India’s plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, he had a forgetful outing in the red-ball cricket.
Gill had a disappointing match against Saurashtra, scoring just 14 runs across two innings, which included a two-ball duck. He was dismissed LBW in both innings, as Punjab suffered huimiliating 194-run defeat in their Elite Group B match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium C in Rajkot.
Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut played a major role in Gill’s struggles, dismissing the star batter twice. Bhut was the standout performer of the match, claiming two five-wicket hauls and also contributing with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 37 off 40 balls in Saurashtra’s second innings.
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Ravindra Jadeja's advice to Saurashtra teammates
Another prominent figure from Indian cricket was also involved in the game. Ravindra Jadeja, who represented Saurashtra, played a crucial leadership role. He suggested that his teammates stay positive and aggressive.
“Jaddu bhai is a legend of the game. He has played a lot of cricket and always shares his experience. Ahead of the Punjab match, he addressed us in the dressing room and said that we had to dominate and play attacking cricket. ‘Attack karna hai (keep attacking)’ – that’s all he said," Bhut told The Times of India.
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Jadeja's advice to Bhut
Bhut revealed that it was Jadeja who told him to attack Gill when he walked in to bat.
“When Shubman, who has also played a lot of cricket, came in to bat, Jaddu bhai told me to attack him and be aggressive, and that’s what worked for me," Bhut was quoted as saying by The Times of India.