rewrite this title Shubman Gill misses Sikkim match due to food poisoning amid Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Reports

Team India batter Shubman Gill’s return to competitive cricket has been delayed after a bout of food poisoning, forcing him to miss Punjab’s 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy group stage clash against Sikkim. The opener was scheduled to play the contest in Jaipur on Saturday, January 3, after having joined the domestic side ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Shubman Gill’s last appearance was during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamshala on December 14. Following that, he sustained a foot injury in the nets ahead of the fourth match in Lucknow, and was omitted from the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup as well.

Since then, Gill has been working hard in the nets after recovery and was in line to feature for Punjab in a closed-door fixture. However, he was not included in the playing XI as the team sheet featured Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh at the top of the order.

According to a report by Sportstar, Gill had to sit out of the match due to illness.

“BREAKING: Shubman Gill’s return to domestic cricket has been delayed. According to team sources, he had to sit out of the Punjab vs Sikkim Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture due to food poisoning,” the report stated.

Shubman Gill was pencilled in for two Vijay Hazare Trophy contests before the ODI series against New Zealand kick-started on January 11. Punjab are next scheduled to face Goa on January 6, and it remains to be seen whether the star batter recovers in time for the clash.

In the meantime, Punjab are largely unaffected by his absence as they have bundled out Sikkim for a paltry total of 75 in 22.2 overs after opting to bowl first. Star pacer Arshdeep Singh excelled on his return to domestic cricket, bagging a sublime five-wicket haul.

Shubman Gill to lead India in ODIs at home for the first time during IND vs NZ 2026 ODIs

With significant time remaining for Team India’s home season to begin, Gill is highly likely to lead the side in the ODI series against New Zealand. This will mark the first time that the recently-appointed captain leads the team on home soil in white-ball cricket.

His debut series as ODI captain witnessed a 1-2 defeat in Australia, and he was ruled out due to injury when India faced South Africa in a three-match home ODI series in November-December.

Edited by Gokul Nair