Gill Returns to Domestic Cricket Behind Closed Doors
Gill Returns to Domestic Cricket Behind Closed Doors
Shubman Gill's Vijay Hazare Trophy clash will be played without spectators or broadcast due to security concerns at Jaipuria College ground.
Shubman Gill’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture for Punjab against Sikkim will be played behind closed doors, with no spectators and no live broadcast, in line with BCCI guidelines. The Jaipuria College ground lacks seating, and only people associated with the college will be allowed entry. Gill, who has just returned to domestic cricket after being dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad, is set to feature for Punjab alongside Arshdeep Singh. Punjab will also face Goa on January 6, with that match scheduled at the KL Saini Stadium.
A BCCI source explained that the policy mirrors recent games featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Sikkim game will be played on January 3, and the Goa match on January 6. The scheduling was done much earlier, partly to manage security and logistics; the source noted that Mumbai’s match had to be shifted to Sawai Man Singh Stadium from Anantam due to anticipated crowd response.
Gill and Arshdeep Singh are expected to reach the venue late on Friday night, with travel plans affected by poor weather conditions in north India. This marks Gill’s return to domestic cricket after his omission from India’s T20I squad, and the behind-closed-doors format will mean no fans or live streams for the Rohit Sharma-era setup in this Vijay Hazare Trophy phase.
