NEW DELHI: Indian star batter Shubman Gill’s return to the Ranji Trophy setup straight after the India vs New Zealand ODI series didn’t quite go as planned.

Turning out for Punjab in their Ranji Trophy clash against Saurashtra, the right-hander endured a forgettable stay at the crease, falling for a two-ball duck. It came on the back of a quiet ODI series against New Zealand, making the dismissal sting a little more.

Gill walked in with Punjab already under pressure on a tricky surface in Rajkot. He never really got going and was trapped in front by Parth Bhut, extending his side’s struggles with the bat. Punjab were eventually bowled out for 139, with only Prabhsimran Singh and Anmolpreet Singh showing some resistance.

The early exit also comes at a time when Gill is trying to find his rhythm across formats. He has been out of India’s T20I setup following a prolonged lean patch, though he did manage a decent return in the recent ODI series against New Zealand.

In that three-match series, Gill scored 135 runs at an average of 45, including a half-century, which suggested signs of a turnaround even if the performances didn’t fully reflect his best.

What stands out, however, is Gill’s immediate return to domestic cricket. The decision to head back to the Ranji setup straight away underlines the hunger he still has for runs and improvement.

Rather than staying quiet or stepping away, the Indian opener seems keen to put in the hard yards, work on his batting, and refocus on the longer format.

It may not have been the start he wanted, but Gill’s presence in the Ranji Trophy itself speaks volumes about his commitment and dedication to the game.