New Delhi, December 22 (Lake City Update). India’s opening batsman Shubman Gill, along with Abhishek Sharma and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, has been included in Punjab’s 18-member squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In addition to this trio, players like Prabhsimran Singh, Naman Dhir, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sanveer Singh, Harpreet Brar, Gurnoor Brar, and Krishan Bhagat have also made the cut.
After reaching the quarter-finals last season, the Punjab team has been placed in Elite Group C this time. Punjab will kick off its campaign against Maharashtra on December 24. The team will play all seven league matches in Jaipur, with the league phase concluding on January 8, just three days before India’s first ODI match.
However, the availability of Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh remains uncertain, as the Indian team is set to play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, followed by five T20 internationals from January 21.
Shubman Gill was not selected for the T20 World Cup or the T20 series against New Zealand but will captain the ODI team. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh are part of the T20 squad.
India’s last T20 match against South Africa took place on December 19 in Ahmedabad, and the ODI series against New Zealand will commence on January 11. This three-week gap allows Indian players to participate in the domestic 50-over competition for their respective state teams.
Earlier, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were included in Delhi’s probable squad and will remain available for Delhi until the ODI series against New Zealand starts on January 11. Former captain Rohit Sharma has also been selected for Mumbai’s first two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Punjab’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Team:
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Harnur Pannu, Anmolpreet Singh, Uday Saharan, Naman Dhir, Salil Arora (wicketkeeper), Sanveer Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Harpreet Brar, Raghu Sharma, Krishan Bhagat, Gaurav Chaudhary, Sukdeep Bajwa.