India's ODI and Test captain, Shubman Gill, was forced to sit out Punjab's crucial round-five Vijay Hazare Trophy encounter against Sikkim on Saturday. The highly anticipated match, held in Jaipur, proceeded without the star batsman due to severe travel disruptions caused by dense fog.
Flight Cancellations Cause Midnight Arrival
Gill's journey from Mohali to Jaipur was thrown into chaos as his flight was cancelled not once, but twice, due to the prevalent fog conditions in north India. According to sources within the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the cricketer could only manage to reach Jaipur as late as 2 am on the day of the match. Compounding the issue, his essential kit bag also arrived significantly late, leaving him unprepared for the fixture scheduled at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground.
Context of Gill's Absence and Arshdeep's Brilliance
This absence comes at a time when Gill is looking to regain his rhythm. He has recently missed international matches owing to a neck injury and has faced challenges with his form in T20Is, leading to his omission from India's T20I squad. The Vijay Hazare Trophy presented a key opportunity for him to spend time in the middle.
While Gill was stranded, his Punjab teammate, pacer Arshdeep Singh, who was also scheduled to join the squad, made it to the game. Arshdeep seized the opportunity spectacularly, delivering a match-winning spell. He claimed impressive figures of 5 for 34 in his 10 overs, playing a pivotal role in bundling out Sikkim for a meager 75 runs in just 22.2 overs.
Behind-Closed-Doors Fixture Adds to Anonymity
The match itself was held under unusual circumstances. It was conducted behind closed doors at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground, which is situated within a school premises and lacks spectator seating arrangements. Furthermore, there was no live streaming available for fans to follow the action, making it a low-profile event despite the presence of national stars.
This incident highlights the logistical challenges and travel uncertainties that modern cricketers often face, especially during the winter season in northern India, where fog can play havoc with tight schedules. It raises questions about contingency planning for player movement during domestic tournaments to ensure key participants can fulfill their commitments.
