The Ranji Trophy resumed after a near two-month hiatus, with Round 6 of the Elite Group stage getting underway on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Indian ODI team members returned to domestic cricket, but the players faced difficulties because the venues had spin-friendly conditions.

The day featured highly publicized events, which included Shubman Gill's disappointing performance during Punjab's Elite Group B match against Saurashtra. Gill made his return to the Ranji Trophy after his last appearance in January 2020 when he faced the left-arm spinner Parth Bhut at Niranjan Shah Stadium (Ground C) and he got out without scoring after two balls. Bhut produced outstanding results by taking five wickets while conceding 33 runs on a pitch that turned sharply.

Gill batted at an unfamiliar No.5 position while Punjab's middle order showed difficulties handling the ongoing spin attack. The day proved challenging for batsmen because 23 wickets fell during the opening day. Punjab reached a total of 139 all out after Prabhsimran Singh Anmolpreet Singh and Uday Saharan provided temporary resistance. Saurashtra's bowlers maintained tight control while Ravindra Jadeja and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja backed Bhut through their strong performance.

ALSO SEE: Watch: How ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy enters Sri Lanka during SL vs ENG 1st ODI

Watch the video:

🚨 Shubman Gill was once again got robbed by the umpire. He was clearly not out, as there was clear bat before pad, but the umpire still gave him out & there was no DRS available. The same thing happen in his last Ranji match where he was given lbw out when he was batting on 102. pic.twitter.com/LrwDEBvuYi

— Ahmed Says (@AhmedGT_) January 22, 2026

Saurashtra take firm control on spin-friendly pitch as Punjab look to bounce back on Day 2

Saurashtra chose to bat first and scored 172 runs, with Jay Gohil's composed 82 serving as the match's most impressive performance. The best bowler for Punjab was Harpreet Brar, who took six wickets while allowing 38 runs. Saurashtra ended the day with a second innings score of 24 for 3, which gave them a 57-run overall advantage.

The match included a celebratory element because the Saurashtra Cricket Association honored Arpit Vasavada for his 100th first-class match together with Cheteshwar Pujara Jaydev Unadkat and Ravindra Jadeja. For Gill, the day will come to focus on hitting back at Day 2, if Punjab scored in his comeback to Ranji Trophy cricket trying with real efforts to retrieve the game in return.

Shubman Gill, one of India’s most talked-about batters, was left out of the T20 World Cup squad announced by the BCCI. The tournament is set to begin on February 7. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel chose players like Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh instead. Gill’s omission has sparked wide debate among fans and experts.

The decision came despite Gill being a regular name in India’s white-ball plans. Many expected him to feature, especially given his reputation and past performances. However, concerns around his recent T20 form played a role. The selectors opted to focus on players they felt were better suited at this stage.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has now spoken in support of Gill. Clarke believes the snub does not end Gill’s chances. In fact, he feels Gill could make a strong return after the World Cup. Clarke even sees leadership potential in the young batter.

“Don’t Be Surprised If He Takes Over the Captaincy”

“He might still be (in contention). I don't think that changes too much. I think the squads needed to be announced by a certain time, and he wasn't batting as well as he would like,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast. He added that India have many opening options and the timing worked against Gill.

Clarke also pointed out that the selectors wanted full focus on World Cup preparation. “They wanted these couple of warm-up games to be a real focus on what they are doing in the World Cup,” he said. According to him, questions over Gill’s form led to the call. The decision was made specifically with the World Cup in mind.

See Also: Virat Kohli dethroned as ICC No.1 ODI batter after latest rankings update

Gill had been named India’s T20I vice-captain last year, replacing Axar Patel. However, the selectors later reappointed Axar as vice-captain for the World Cup. Looking ahead, Clarke remains confident. “I think after the World Cup, don't be surprised if he not only comes back into the team, but he also takes over the captaincy,” he said, adding that Gill is “an unbelievable player” and India are fully focused on winning the World Cup.

India will face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting on January 21 in Nagpur. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team. This series is important for India as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. India are the current champions and have not lost a T20I series since winning the 2024 World Cup.

India will aim to continue their winning run. New Zealand come into the series after winning the ODI series 2-1, which makes them a strong opponent. Still, the Black Caps have not beaten India in a T20I series since 2018–19.

Since that time, India have won four T20I series in a row against New Zealand. Their most recent meeting ended with India winning the series 2-1 in January–February 2023. In this article, we take a look at five active Indian players who last played the home T20I series against New Zealand in 2023:

Also read -Watch: Gautam Gambhir smiles as he reunites with Hardik Pandya & Jasprit Bumrah ahead of IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill was the highest run-scorer when India last played a home T20I series against New Zealand in 2023. He scored 144 runs in three innings at a strong strike rate of 184.61. He also scored one century.

Gill was not selected for the upcoming T20I series because of poor form. Last year, he scored 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 137.26 and did not score a half-century.

Ishan Kishan was picked in the squad instead of Gill. Axar Patel was named vice-captain for the T20I series against New Zealand and for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Overall, Gill has scored 869 runs in 36 T20I matches at a strike rate of 138.9, with one century and three half-centuries.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal played only one match in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand in 2023. He took one wicket and gave away just four runs in two overs.

The 35-year-old was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad but did not play any match. His last T20I game for India was against West Indies in August 2023.

In IPL 2025, Chahal took 16 wickets in 13 matches for Punjab Kings but had an economy rate of 9.55. In T20Is, he has taken 96 wickets in 80 matches at an economy rate of 8.19.

3. Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda played in India’s last home T20I series against New Zealand. He failed to perform well and scored only 12 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 100.

That series was his last for India. In total, Hooda played 21 T20I matches and scored 368 runs at a strike rate of 147.20. He also scored one century.

In IPL 2025, Hooda had a poor season. He scored just 31 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 75.6. Chennai Super Kings released him before IPL 2026, and he was not sold in the auction.

4. Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi played all three T20I matches against New Zealand in 2023. He scored 57 runs at a strike rate of 123.91. His best score was 44 runs off 22 balls.

Overall, Tripathi played five T20I matches for India and scored 97 runs at a strike rate of 144.77. His other two matches were against Sri Lanka.

Tripathi also struggled in IPL 2025. He scored 55 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 96.49 while playing for Chennai Super Kings.

5. Umran Malik

Umran Malik was seen as a big talent in Indian cricket. He played eight T20I matches for India and took 11 wickets, but his economy rate was high at 10.48.

Against New Zealand in 2023, he took two wickets in two matches and bowled at an economy rate of 7.89. That series was his last T20I series for India.

The 26-year-old has struggled in recent seasons. In IPL 2023, he took only five wickets in eight matches for SunRisers Hyderabad. Since 2024, injuries have slowed his career.

He last played for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he took six wickets in five matches.

Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is set for his return to the Ranji Trophy, as the right-handed batter wants to utilise his present gap period to improve his batting quality.

Since the end of the 2025 England tour, Shubman Gill has been struggling to perform consistently. His struggles are more recognisable in the T20 cricket, where he was the vice-captain of the Indian team. 

But due to inconsistent performances, Gill was dropped from the Indian T20I side, as he hasn't been selected for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka are set to host on February 7 and March 8, 2026. 

While Gill now has a rest time from the international schedule, as his next crucial assignment will be the IPL 2026 before any next team India assignment, he is ready to utilise this period by making himself available for more match practice. 

T20 World Cup 2026: Which team will replace Bangladesh if they don’t participate?

Shubman Gill will take part in the Saurashtra game

As the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 is set to restart this week, Gill has decided to be available for his domestic team Punjab. While Saurashtra are ready to host Punjab in the Elite Group B match from January 22, Gill is available for the fixture. 

Team India and New Zealand are at the Holkar Stadium in Indore for the third (IND vs NZ 3rd ODI) and final match of the 3-match ODI series, which is currently in balance with a 1-1 scoreline. The hosts started off the contest with an emphatic win. The visitors reduced the distance by winning the second match in Saurashtra. The winner of today's match will claim the series before heading for the 5-match T20I series ahead of the T20I World Cup 2026.

After the defeat in the previous match, as per expectations, the Indian team management has made a slight change in the playing XI. Arshdeep Singh is back in the squad after being dropped from the previous two matches. Singh joined the playing combination in place of Prasidh Krishna. On the other side, the Black Caps keep their starting lineup unchanged. 

Here, on this ground, New Zealand may have to work harder to defeat India. At this venue, India has been unbeaten in ODIs in Indore, winning all 7 of their games so far, Deep Das Gupta informed from the pitch side. With a shorter boundary, runs galore are expected in Indore today. 

Read More: Watch: Ishan Kishan hit 6 in nets ahead of iND vs NZ T20I series

Toss Update:

Shubman Gill won the toss for India and chose to bowl first. 

"This match is a great challenge for us as a side. These are the moments we wait for as a player. I think there will not be much dew and reckon that this is a pretty good wicket," Gill, Team India captain, said after winning the toss. 

Playing XIs:

New Zealand (Unchanged Playing XI)—Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox.

India (Playing XI)—Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh (in place of Prasidh Krishna).

Ahead of the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand in Indore, star batter Virat Kohli was seen carrying a bag full of packaged water bottles as the team arrived in the city. The video caught attention as Indore is currently facing concerns related to water contamination.

Kohli has always been very serious about his fitness, and staying hydrated is an important part of his routine. The senior batter is known for following strict food and lifestyle habits, especially during international tours. Reports suggest that Kohli drinks only selected premium packaged water brands, including Evian Natural Spring Water imported from France, to support his health and recovery.

The experienced batter was again seen carrying his own water bottles when the Indian team arrived for their training session on Saturday. Over the years, Kohli has spoken about how small things like proper sleep, water intake, and diet can make a big difference in performance. With the ODI series against New Zealand tied at 1-1, Kohli seemed focused on avoiding any unnecessary risks ahead of the crucial match.

Watch the video here:

pure bag mai sirf paani ki bottles hai 😭pic.twitter.com/SwzvGAWBo0

— Nush (@kyayaarcheeks) January 17, 2026

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India Takes Extra Precautions Over Water Safety in Indore

Virat Kohli’s careful approach to fitness has always been a key part of his image, with proper hydration playing an important role. During the 2026 season, he has continued to follow strict health routines, including drinking selected premium water brands such as Evian Natural Spring Water, which is imported from France, to help maintain peak fitness.

The attention on bottled water comes at a time when the Indian team is being extra cautious in Indore. Reports say captain Shubman Gill brought a special water purification machine worth nearly ₹3 lakh to his hotel room ahead of the high-pressure match. This move has drawn attention due to ongoing concerns about water quality in parts of the city.

Although the team management has not confirmed whether these steps are part of regular practice or taken due to local conditions, Kohli’s visible focus on hydration highlights his overall dedication to preparation. Many fans viewed the moment as another example of how seriously senior players value health and match readiness, even away from the field.

See also -3 Indian batters apart from Shreyas Iyer who could have replaced Tilak Varma in IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is ft. Sarfaraz Khan

Contaminated Water Sources Shut Down After Health Scare

The increased caution follows a major public health issue in Indore. Despite being known as one of the cleanest cities in India, several areas have recently reported serious illness caused by unsafe drinking water. The Bhagirathpura region has been the worst affected, with officials reporting multiple deaths linked to vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Madhya Pradesh government has informed the High Court that contaminated water sources have been closed and that clean water is now being supplied through tankers. However, reports suggest that at least 23 deaths may be connected to the outbreak, while several people are still receiving treatment. With an international match scheduled in the city, the situation has raised natural concerns for visiting teams.

Team Strengthens Safety Measures Ahead of Match

While the team hotel and stadium are already fitted with RO systems and packaged drinking water, the Indian squad has taken extra steps to ensure safety. The team’s media manager has not confirmed whether these actions are directly related to the water issue or part of normal travel routines, but the focus remains on player well-being ahead of the crucial game.

The friendship between Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan has silently grown over the years in the Indian cricket setup. Their equation, mostly based on mutual trust, ease, and shared time away from the spotlight, has often been noticed by those around the team. Even when they weren't playing together that regularly, the bond between the two was intact.

That connection came to the fore once more through a recent gesture by Gill. The Indian ODI and Test captain gifted Sarfaraz a luxury item in showing his support for the teammate. The moment reflected how players stand by each other beyond matches and results.

Sarfaraz shared this moment with his followers on social media, giving a rare peek into the personal side of their relationship. The post drew attention in no time and gave the strong bond that the two cricketers share off the field.

Sarfaraz Thanks Gill After Receiving G-Shock Watch

Sarfaraz Khan revealed that Shubman Gill gifted him a premium G-Shock watch. On Tuesday, January 13, the Mumbai Indian batter posted a photo of the watch on his Instagram account. In the caption, Sarfaraz thanked the Indian captain and wrote, “Thank you Shubman Gill clean watch @gshock_in,” expressing his happiness over the thoughtful gift.

NICE GESTURE BY CAPTAIN SHUBMAN GILL 👏

- Gill gifted a watch to Sarfaraz Khan. pic.twitter.com/MthbCsosLU

— VM Strike🏏 (@mittal_van39335) January 13, 2026

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On the cricketing side, Sarfaraz has faced setbacks recently. He was dropped from India’s home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa last year and was also left out of the Test squad for the England tour, even though he was part of the India A team.

Since his Test match debut in February 2024, Sarfaraz has played six matches, with his last game played in November 2024 against the New Zealand team at home. Although he failed to get picked for the national team, he continues to score heavily as part of the Mumbai domestic side and is in the fray for his comeback to Team India.

Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is ready for his international comeback with the home ODI series against New Zealand, starting on Sunday (January 11), which will be hosted at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara. The day before the ODI series opener, Gill spoke in his snub from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 squad. 

Shubman Gill was T20I vice-captain

Shubman Gill was earlier selected as the T20I vice-captain, but as an opener in the T20I format, the right-handed batter was struggling to perform comfortably. While he was out of the playing XI for the last two games of the five-match home T20I series against South Africa last December, Sanju Samson impressed as an opener in the last game of the series. Soon after that series finale, the Indian squad was announced for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where the vice-captain Gill was dropped from the team.

Watch: BCCI shares special training video of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs NZ series

I respect the selectors’ decision: Shubman Gill 

Indian Test and ODI skipper is in a positive mood, as he is focusing on his upcoming opportunities and not thinking much about his T20I exclusion, while respecting the selectors' decision. He has also wished for India's title retention goal success. 

Gill said in the press conference, “Firstly, it is my belief that in my life, I am where I am supposed to be. Whatever is written in my destiny, I will have it. As a player, I want to win games for my team, but having said that, I respect the selectors’ decision. I wish the T20 team the very best. I hope that they win the World Cup."

After the three-match ODI series, the Suryakumar Yadav-led India will host New Zealand for a five-match T20I series, starting on January 21. After the back-to-back home bilateral series, India will host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 along with Sri Lanka from February 7 and March 8, 2026.

Achieving a double hundred (200 runs or more) has been an outstanding achievement for batsmen in one-day international (ODI) and domestic cricket, both form of cricket is played over 50 Overs. To achieve that score in one day of cricket require great concentration, skill, endurance, and tactical acumen on the part of the batsman. There are only a select few batsmen that have reached the double hundred mark for ODIs and Domestic Cricket throughout the history of cricket, only to have their names immortalised in the annals of cricket as member of an elite group.

The most recent addition to this group is Aman Rao Perala, who played for Andhra Pradesh in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy against Bengal and not only achieved his own personal milestone but also was one of the standout performances of this season's List A cricket. History has shown that many of the double-hundred innings played by batsmen have changed the direction of the match and been the highlights of that tournament.

See Also: WATCH: Rohit Sharma smiles as ICC Chairman Jay Shah refers to him as India captain

Rohit Sharma is the highest profile player to have a number of List A double hundreds to his name, including his highest score in the ODI, where he set the record at 264, which is still one of the highest scores in the history of 50 overs cricket. Other very notable players such as Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have also managed to make the double hundred club, indicating that the double hundred is still a milestone that modern-day players aspire to play for.

List of all List A Double Hundreds

Tilak Varma can miss the India vs New Zealand T20I series as he undergoes groin surgery. If he is set to miss the entire series, then BCCI will have no option but to find a replacement for the batter. Who can be the replacement for Tilak Varma?

There are multiple batters who can delicately fit in the squad, including Shubman Gill, who was the vice captain of the T20I team during the India vs South Africa home series. But fresh reports suggest that the selectors may not consider the Punjab-born's name as the replacement of Tilak Varma.

The report sparked a common question among Indian cricket fans, 'Is Shubman Gill's T20I career finished?' In the last few weeks, the top-order batter missed multiple international and domestic matches because of back-to-back injuries. Apart from injuries, his form in the Twenty20 International format was also not enough for justifying his talent.

Read More: KKR eye Virat Kohli's arch rival as Mustafizur Rahman's replacement for IPL 2026

In 2025, Shubman Gill participated in 15 T20I matches without scoring a single half-century. 47 was his highest individual score, which he got against Pakistan in Dubai on September 21. His second highest score was 46 against Australia in Carrara. Overall, the right-handed batter has played 36 T20Is for India to score a total of 869 runs at an average of 28.03.

Shubman Gill's overall T20I stats:

Shubman Gill's T20I stats in 2025: