Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant Struggle in Opening Match

New Delhi: After recovering from an injury sustained during the South Africa Test series, Shubman Gill was expected to make a strong comeback in white-ball cricket. However, the Punjab opener fell cheaply for just 11 runs off 12 balls in the first match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Fellow star Rishabh Pant also failed to make an impact, scoring 24 runs in a hasty innings.

Gill’s Comeback Hopes Dashed
Gill, who had missed Punjab’s previous match due to fog delays preventing him from reaching Jaipur on time, was looking to gain match practice ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, where he will return as captain. Despite an extended practice session in the nets, Gill struggled to read the pitch and the local conditions. Opening with Prabhsimran Singh, he failed to capitalize on the small target set by Goa (211 runs). Goa’s pacer Kaushik removed Prabhsimran early and then dismissed Gill on the first ball of the fifth over, leaving Punjab under pressure. Gill’s brief innings included two boundaries, but overall, he couldn’t provide the solid start that was expected.

Pant’s Aggression Backfires
Delhi captain Rishabh Pant also struggled under the pressure to deliver a quick finish. Chasing a modest total of 180 against Railway, Pant came in at 126 for 2 and attempted to finish the game in a few overs. He smashed three sixes but only managed one boundary, eventually falling to a catch off RK Chaudhary’s bowling. Pant’s inconsistent form in the tournament has now raised further questions about his white-ball performance, despite a prior impressive innings of 67 runs off 37 balls.

Early Warnings Ahead of New Zealand Series
Both players, crucial to India’s white-ball setup, will need to quickly regain form ahead of the high-profile ODI series against New Zealand, which could determine their selection for the T20 World Cup 2026. For Gill and Pant, this tournament is more than just domestic cricket—it is an opportunity to silence critics and build confidence for international duties.