Despite the old guard like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and then the likes of Mayank Agarwal in the Tests, our Mohali lad 23-yr-old Shubman Gill has been doing consistently well beyond one would have imagined.
Of late, Gill has become synonymous with centuries and double centuries —he has become the youngest player to score a double century in ODI, which was also his third century in the ODI internationals. He has become the fifth player after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan to score double tons for India in ODIs; fastest Indian to complete 1,000 runs in ODIs; youngest player to score 200 runs in an ODI match.
Belonging to Fazilka in Punjab, Shubman’s father left full-time farming in his 70-acres of farmland to shift to Mohali when Shubman was just eight-yr-old to give him the right exposure and atmosphere in cricket. While speaking with CityWoofer in a free-wheeling chat, this is what Shubman’s father and coach Lakhwinder Singh, in all humility, told us about the ace cricketer – the son, the friend, the human being:
Did you ever think such a degree of great play would come so early?
100 per cent. He has been working hard since he was a child, he has always stuck to his daily schedule and routine of practicing every day. I never had any doubt that he would not be able to make it.
What was in your mind when you shifted from Fazilka to Mohali to train him better in cricket?
I had two choices for him – cricket or farming. So, I thought, if he does not do well in cricket, farming is always an option for him. But I wanted to give him a chance looking at his passion for cricket. I could sense it early that he was extraordinary.
You had a passion for cricket yourself which you wanted to realise through your son?
I was very fond of cricket, but in Fazilka, there were no means of playing cricket, so we played kabaddi, kho kho, wrestling, etc. I was a great fan of Sachin Tendulkar, watched and listened to the commentary on the radio whenever there was a match. In case of a test match, I would work through out the night in the fields on my tractor and watch the match in the day. If it was a day-night match, I would take one person along with me to the fields who would keep telling me the commentary and I would also keep running the tractor.
What made you realise that the child can do well in cricket?
He always used to watch cricket with me on TV. When he was 2-3 years old, he would always ask for a bat to play with as a gift. He would try to copy the players as he would see them on TV. He would sleep with the bat next to his pillow. I used to make him practice in the open fields with labourers bowling to him, I would give them an incentive of Rs 100 if anybody would be able to bowl him out.
He would never get tired. Whether it was hot or cold, we would make him practice in night by putting on the table fan.
What are the kind of sacrifices you have made to help Shubman build his career?
The biggest sacrifice was I had to leave my parents back home in Fazilka 300 km away to be with him. Since he was small, I had to leave and pick him from net practice, provide him with the essentials, take him for tournaments, etc and in between also go to Fazilka.
What kind of a person is Shubman?
He is very serious, reserved and shy. He likes to spend time with his family and is very happy in the company of his close circle of friends. He has no ego and is always loving and caring towards everybody. He always tries to help young children who play cricket at the nets with his expert advice or with batting kits, monetary help, etc.
He has a lovely name….who kept it?
When he was born, the whole family, everybody said acche man wala bachcha so we named him Shubman.
IPLVs ODI Vs Test Match , which format is his favourite?
It is every cricketer’s dream to play as many Test Matches as possible, and to participate in the World Cup.
Tell us about his friends?
He has maintained freindships with his old friends back home in Jalalabad, Fazilka. His friend Subeer is his manager, Varkirat Mann who is also a cricketer, and Khushpreet who used to bowl him for practise. In Team India, he is friends with everybody, Ishan Kishan is his best friend. Hardik Pandya, Rishab Pant are also friends. He addresses Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma as bhaiya and they also love him very much.
He’s a good spin bowler as well, what made him choose batting?
He’s good at both. I suggested him to focus on batting first, there was consistency in his runs, so we continued with that.
What is your advice for young cricketers who are waiting to play for India?
Hard work is the key. Believe in yourself, believe in God. Keep playing wherever you get a chance – Ranji, IPL, domestic cricket, BCCI pays well to budding cricketers for playing matches.
Shubman’s Likes and Dislikes
What does he like to eat when he comes home?
He likes to eat home cooked food – his normal dal-sabzi, just that it should be cooked by his mother.
He follows his strict diet with no sugar and sweets. In the morning , he has his normal dry fruits, fresh fruits, 4 eggs and then lunch.
What does he like to do in his free time?
He likes to be with his old friends and play video games.
What are his favourite things?
He likes watches, he takes very care of all his things like cars, watches, everything he has, he maintains them nicely.
Education : Manav Mangal School, Mohali
Mother: Kirat Gill
Sister: Shahneel Gill, studying interior designing in Delhi
Shubman’s feats
At 14 yrs of age, made 587 runs in an opening partnership in U-16 in inter-dist competition which was a world record
U-16 debut century in the vijay merchant trophy
2013-2014 BCCI adjudged him best junior cricketer for two successive years — 2013-14 and 2014-15.
2017 started playing Ranji
2018 played in U-19 world cup, made 418 runs with an average of 104. 50 made 418 runs
Was bought by Shahrukh Khan’s IPL team KKR for Rs 1.8 cr
Part Of team India: 2019 ODI, 2020 Test match, 2023 T20 debut
