Shubman Gill, India's rising cricket star and captain in Tests and ODIs, missed a key match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy today. Fans wondered why he sat out Punjab's game against Sikkim on January 3, 2026, in Jaipur.
Shubman Gill Absence Reason
A sudden bout of food poisoning kept Shubman Gill out of action. He landed in Jaipur the day before but felt unwell that night, so doctors told him to rest. The team chose caution ahead of India's big ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11.​
Punjab didn't miss a beat without him. Arshdeep Singh grabbed 5 wickets for 34 runs to bowl Sikkim out for 75. Openers then chased it down in just 6.2 overs, with Prabhsimran Singh smashing an unbeaten 53 for a 10-wicket win.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Overview
The annual One-Day Tournament takes place every year and features the best teams throughout the state competing against one another. In the 2025-26 tournament, which kicked off on December 24th, 2026, in the cities of Ahmedabad and Jaipur, 32 teams are divided into four groups. The tournament will run from December 24th through January 18th. It serves as great practice for players like Gill to get better prepared for international events.
Initially, Gill, who is scheduled to compete in Group C with Punjab, was going to participate in just a few matches, specifically against Sikkim on January 3rd, and Goa on January 6th at locations such as Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground; however, due to food poisoning, he was unable to play in the match versus Sikkim.
Shubman Gill Food Poisoning: What Exactly Happened?
Shubman flew into Jaipur on January 2 evening for the January 3 match at Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground. Late that night, after dinner at the team hotel, his stomach started acting up—nausea, cramps, and weakness hit hard. Doctors checked him overnight and ruled out playing to avoid any risk, especially with India's ODI series looming.​
Reports point to something in the hotel meal, likely contaminated rice or veg dish gone bad from improper storage. Common in travel—bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli sneak in from unclean kitchens. Gill skipped breakfast too, sipping only ORS fluids to stay hydrated.
Team physio confirmed it's mild, not the severe kind needing hospital. Just 24-48 hours rest, and he's back—perfect timing before Goa game.
Gill Recovery and Next Steps
Shubman Gill's fans got some good news regarding his recovery process as per media sources Gill will be ready to play for Punjab against Goa on January 6th, 2014 (K L Saini Stadium at 9 AM IST), before moving to join the Indian National team as a Captain for ODIs against New Zealand at Vadodara on 15th January 2014.
BCCI has decided to give Gill a break from daily cricket for some time now, which makes sense because of their importance to Indian cricket and that the board wants their players available to play for the World Cup.
Shubman Gill Injury History Deep Dive
Suddenly, Shubman Gill's world turned upside-down. The only important incident that marked his career at age 25 thus far was when he suffered a neck injury during the 1st Test Match of the South African Series in November 2025 at Eden Gardens. After playing just a few balls, he took a huge swing at a ball and felt pain in his neck, which ultimately forced him out of the game and into a neck brace. After an MRI of the neck was taken, Gill learned through the scan that he was suffering from a nerve issue, as opposed to simply having muscle spasms, and received an injection and was told to rest completely.
As a result of this, Gill had to sit out the rest of the Tests, One Day Internationals and the vast majority of T20 Internationals throughout the South African Series. To further complicate matters, he received a foot injury while participating in the T20I series against South Africa. Finally, after not performing well (with just 291 runs in 15 innings and no fifties), he was excluded from the 2026 T20 World Cup Selection.
Each of these setbacks is testimony to Gill's mindset as a mental warrior, even as he still is. Gill is young (25 years), yet he has taken the intense pressure that comes with the role of captain very seriously.
Shubman Gill Cricket Journey
From a small-town kid in Fazilka, Punjab, to leading India—Shubman Gill's story inspires. He smashed junior records early, then broke into IPL with Gujarat Titans in 2022, scoring 483 runs as Orange Cap winner. Debuted for India in 2021, now he's white-ball vice-captain turned full-time skipper in Tests and ODIs post-Rohit Sharma era.
Key highlights:
- Fastest to 5,000 ODI runs (youngest ever).​
- Double ton in Tests against England.
- Led Gujarat Titans to IPL finals.
His style? Elegant cover drives, calm under fire. Fans call him "Prince of Cricket" for that baby face and big shots.
Punjab Team in Vijay Hazare 2025-26
Punjab sits strong in Group C after the easy Sikkim win. Squad boasts talent like Arshdeep (pace ace), Prabhsimran (explosive opener), and Abhishek Sharma. They play all league games in Jaipur, chasing quarters after last year's exit.​
Upcoming for Punjab:
- Jan 6: vs Goa (K L Saini Stadium).
- More rounds till Jan 18, but Gill leaves early.
Tournament format keeps it thrilling—league stage, then knockouts for top teams.
Impact on India New Zealand Series
Gill captaining ODIs versus New Zealand means his fitness matters big time. Series starts Jan 11 in Vadodara—perfect timing for his return. Without him in domestics fully, focus shifts to national prep. BCCI mandates domestic play for contracted players till next call-up.​
Experts say Vijay Hazare helps him regain white-ball touch after T20 struggles.​
Fan Reactions to Gill's Miss
Social media buzzed today. Fans tweeted support: "Get well soon, Captain! Punjab won big anyway." Some joked about his "bad luck streak," but most excited for Goa match. Punjab's win eased worries—proves team depth.​
Why Domestic Cricket Matters for Stars
Tournaments like Vijay Hazare keep stars grounded. Even Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav play sometimes. It builds bench strength, spots new talent, and preps for IPL or Worlds. For Gill, it's a low-pressure stage to rebuild form before high-stakes ODIs.
Shubman Gill Stats Breakdown
Let's geek out on numbers. In ODIs: 5,000+ runs at 49 average, strike rate 105+. Tests: Solid opener with centuries. T20Is: Needs boost post-slump.
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Shubman Gill has reached Jaipur for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He will not play today’s match because the flight was delayed.
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 3, 2026
Shubman Gill will play the next match against Goa on January 6. pic.twitter.com/jNri8wybOs
Shubman Gill's Quick Recovery Plan
Fitness levels should be back to normal by January 5, suggest doctors. Exercise lightly with access to plenty of fluids, bland foods (khichdi and yogurt). Gill is scheduled to open the batting for India on January 6 against Goa at KL Saini Stadium, starting at 9 AM. After that match, he will go directly to Vadodara to lead India in the ODI series against New Zealand.
BCCI understands that while domestic cricket is important for players to find their rhythm, health will always be the priority. The injury to Gill's neck was a reminder of this fact.
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