Gill arrived in Mohali on December 24 and resumed net sessions the following day, training for nearly two hours alongside local players. According to sources within the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the 25-year-old personally requested access to the stadium and is expected to continue practice there until December 31. The PCA arranged full facilities, including central wicket practice, allowing Gill to face both pace and spin.
The right-handed batter, who served as India’s T20I vice-captain, was widely expected to feature in the T20 World Cup squad. However, selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, opted to exclude him following a prolonged lean run in the shortest format. Gill failed to score a single half-century in his last 18 T20I innings, managing 377 runs at a strike rate of 135.12. He also missed the final T20I against South Africa due to injury.
Addressing the omission, Agarkar maintained that the decision was strategic rather than form-based, citing team balance and the need for a wicketkeeper in the top order. T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed the explanation, stating Gill’s exclusion was not a reflection of his overall ability.
Gill now turns his focus to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he has been named in Punjab’s squad alongside Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. The tournament presents a key opportunity to rebuild momentum in the 50-over format. While it remains unclear how many matches he will play, Gill is expected to miss Punjab’s first four fixtures in Jaipur due to international commitments.
A strong showing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is considered crucial, with India scheduled to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting January 11, where Gill is expected to return as captain. Another dip in form, however, could intensify scrutiny over his place in the limited-overs side.
Mohali holds personal significance for Gill. His family relocated from Fazilka to Mohali in 2007 to support his cricketing aspirations, and the city has been central to his development. He also trained extensively here ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India went on to win.
Beyond cricket, Gill has remained engaged in social initiatives. Recently, he donated medical equipment worth approximately ₹35 lakh to the Mohali District Hospital, including ventilators, ICU beds and diagnostic systems.
As Gill works quietly in the nets, the message appears clear. The T20 setback has not diminished his resolve. Instead, the coming weeks of domestic cricket may well determine the next chapter in his international resurgence.
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