Shubman Gill Set To Play In New T20 League After India Vs Sri Lanka Tests

Shubman Gill to participate in Punjab T20 league [Source: AFP]

Shubman Gill is set to return to action in August as India's Test captain. Fresh from his prolific ODI tour of England, the seasoned top-order batter will now lead the Indian cricket team in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. 

It now appears that Gill is also keeping his T20I aspirations alive, considering the Gujarat Titans icon will feature in a brand-new T20 league in Punjab shortly after returning from the island nation.

Shubman Gill to play in Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026

Shubman Gill, who is no longer a part of India’s T20I set-up, will participate in Punjab’s newly launched Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 season in India. The tournament is scheduled to launch on August 30 later this month, i.e., just a couple of days after Team India returns from Sri Lanka. 

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The Indian ODI skipper attended the launch event of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League on August 2. The cricketer was accompanied by several Punjab cricket officials, as well as by Team India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. 

It is worth noting that apart from Shubman and Arshdeep, India’s firebrand T20I opener and fellow Punjab cricketer Abhishek Sharma is also expected to take part in Punjab’s new T20 initiative. 

When did Shubman Gill last played a T20I for India?

Shubman Gill was India’s designated T20I opener alongside Abhishek Sharma in the latter half of last year. He was part of the Indian team that lifted the 2025 T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, and the one that defeated Australia (away) and South Africa (home) in back-to-back T20I series. 

However, the cricketer was later dropped from the side as he failed to notch up a single half-century in 15 matches spanning the three series. His underwhelming returns prompted the selection committee and team management to bring Sanju Samson back into the squad just in time for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Gill, meanwhile, is yet to return to India’s T20I setup since playing the last of his 36 matches back in December 2025.

In a bid to storm back into the Indian side in T20I cricket, it is imperative for the 26-year-old to make the most of the upcoming Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 season.

What is Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026?

Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), will be played between August 30 and September 23. Several star Indian and IPL players like Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Gurnoor Brar, Prabhsimran Singh and Ramandeep Singh will participate in the tournament. 

A total of six teams will compete in the inaugural 2026 season, and as many as 27 matches will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra PCA International Cricket Stadium.

Shubman Gill to lead India in must-win Test series

For the time being, Gill is slated to lead Team India in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka between August 15 and August 27. The two matches will be hosted by Galle and Colombo, respectively.

The series marks a must-win one for the Indian cricket team, considering they are ranked fifth at the moment in the 2025-27 WTC standings.

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