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Punjab have named Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill, world No.1 T20 batter Abhishek Sharma and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in their squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, adhering to the BCCI’s mandate on compulsory participation in domestic cricket. While the trio’s inclusion boosts Punjab’s line-up, Gill and Arshdeep are expected to be available only for a limited period due to India’s ODI series against New Zealand starting on January 11.

Punjab, placed in Group C alongside strong contenders Mumbai, will open their campaign against Maharashtra on December 24, followed by a clash with Chhattisgarh on December 26. These two matches are likely to see Gill and Arshdeep in action. Abhishek Sharma, who is expected to be picked only for T20Is, may feature in more games for the state side.

The high-profile Mumbai vs Punjab encounter is scheduled for January 8 in Jaipur, but both teams are likely to miss their star India players, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill expected to be unavailable. Punjab’s squad features a balanced mix of international experience and domestic talent as they aim for a strong showing in India’s premier one-day tournament.