Ajay Mandal dismissing Shubman Gill - (Source: ScreenGrab/X)
On Sunday, October 18, Punjab and Chhattisgarh squared off against each other at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The match marked the return of Shubman Gill to the Ranji Trophy, who is prepping for upcoming Tests against New Zealand.
India will lock horns against the Kiwis for a three-match Test series starting on November 19, and Gill wants to leave no stone turned in his preparations. However, his much-awaited return turned anticlimactic after a flop show with the bat.
Shubman Gill Falls Cheaply On Ranji Trophy Return
Shubman Gill walked to bat when Punjab were reduced to 65/2. His outing lasted just five deliveries as Chhattisgarh spinner Ajay Mandal got rid of the Indian captain. Gill scored just 1 (5) and was beautifully set up by the left-arm spinner.
The ball was turning, and Shubman went for the turn. However, the ball went straight, right past the bat and pad, rattling Gill’s furniture. It was a peach of a delivery and the India captain returned to the pavilion with his head hanging in disappointment.
Meanwhile, Ajay Mandal quickly went viral on social media and has seen a sudden surge in his profile. Therefore, this article will shed more light on Ajay Mandal’s career, who dismissed Shubman Gill in the Ranji Trophy 2026.
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Who Is Ajay Mandal, Delhi Capitals Bowler Who Dismissed Shubman Gill?
The 30-year-old is a long-serving player in Chhattisgarh cricket. Mandal made his debut in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy. He has been regular for the last 10 years and became the 1st-ever player to take 100 wickets.
At present, Ajay Mandal is Chhattisgarh’s leading wicket-taker across formats with 225 scalps in 163 innings. Ajay’s traditional off-spinning skills helped him earn an IPL contract in 2023 when Chennai Super Kings splurged 2.5 lakhs. He stayed with the franchise for two years but failed to make his debut.
Eventually, Ajay Mandal was signed by Delhi Capitals in 2025 and is still awaiting his first match in the cash-studded league.
It is worth noting that Mandal is not just known for his bowling, but he is a fine batter as well. The star all-rounder has a top score of 241 in the Ranji Trophy and has over 2000 runs across formats in the domestic circuit.
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