Delhi: Indian Test and ODI team captain Shubman Gill will not take part in Punjab's first match in Ranji Trophy. Punjab has to play its first match against Assam in New Chandigarh. However, Gill can return to the team in the second match against Chhattisgarh starting from October 18. In his absence, former captain of India Under-19 team Uday Saharan will lead Punjab.

This time in domestic cricket, many other Indian international players are also playing for their respective state teams. Following the instructions of the BCCI selection committee, Ravindra Jadeja is taking the field for Saurashtra, KL Rahul for Karnataka and Akash Deep for Bengal. After the departure of Ajit Agarkar, South Zone selector Pragyan Ojha is leading the selection committee.

Why is Shubman Gill out of the first match of Ranji Trophy?

The official reason for Gill's absence from Punjab's initial match has not been revealed. The Indian captain has not got a place even in the India A team. In such a situation, he can play in Ranji Trophy to regain his match fitness and rhythm before the New Zealand tour.

Gill can play in the first three matches of the ODI series against New Zealand. After this his focus will be on the Test series. In his absence in Test matches, Shreyas Iyer will take over the responsibility of captaincy.

The path ahead is not easy for Punjab

Punjab has to face teams like Karnataka, Saurashtra and Andhra Pradesh in its group of Ranji Trophy. In such a situation, every match will be important for the team. In the absence of Gill, the responsibility of leading the team will be on Uday Saharan.

Punjab team for Ranji Trophy

Harnoor Pannu, Vihaan Malhotra, Anshul Chaudhary, Uday Saharan (captain), Jasanpreet Sidhu, Salil Arora, Ramandeep Singh, Anmol Malhotra, Harpreet Brar, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Harjas Tandon, Gurnoor Brar, Umesh Yadav, Gursimran Singh, Sanveer Singh and Sahaj Dhawan.