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Shubman Gill Biography: From Punjab To International Cricket

From the rustic fields of Fazilka to the grand stadiums where international cricket unfolds, Shubman Gill's story is one of passion meeting perseverance. Born on 8 September 1999, Gill shot to fame in the 2018 ICC U 19 World Cup, scoring 418 runs with an average of 104.50. He was named the Player of the Tournament for his smashing performance, and the fans haven't gotten enough of him since then. In this article, we will look at Shubman Gill’s biography and career trajectory so far, with some fun tidbits you might not have known.

Shubman Gill Biography

Full Name	Shubman Gill
Nick Name	Smoothman Gill (given by Sunil Gavaskar), Shubhi
Date of Birth	8th September 1999
Birth Place	Fazilka, Punjab
Height	5 feet 10 inch
Batting Style	Right-handed batsman
Position	Top-order / opening batsman
Family	Lakhwinder Singh & Keart Gill (Parents), Shahneel Gill (Sister)

India's right-handed opening batsman, Shubman Gill, was born in Fazilka, Punjab to Lakhwinder Singh Gill and Keart Gill. Since his childhood, he idolized Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman.

His father, Lakhwinder Singh, an agriculturist, recognized Shubman's cricketing potential early on.
To nurture this budding talent, the family relocated to Mohali, ensuring proximity to the Punjab Cricket Association's facilities.
This move was pivotal, providing Shubman with the platform to hone his skills and embark on a journey that would see him represent India on the global stage.

Hard work paved the way for Gill: At the age of eight, Gill would get up as early as 3:30 A.M, get ready for a practice session at 4 A.M., go to school, and return in the afternoon for more cricket practice. His hard work is indeed paying off.

Educational Qualification

Balancing academics and sports is a challenge many young athletes face, and Shubman Gill was no exception.

Gill passed his matriculation examinations from the Manav Mangal Smart School in Mohali, Punjab.
However, his deep commitment to cricket, especially his involvement with the Under-19 team at the age of 17, made it challenging for him to pursue higher education.
Consequently, Shubman chose to focus entirely on his cricketing career, a decision that has evidently borne fruit as he continues to make significant strides in the sport.

Shubman's Cheat Meal! One of the youngest stars of the Indian team, Gill, is very particular about his diet. But on cheat days, he loves to indulge in pancakes with honey!

Unfolding Gill's Career Timeline

Shubman Gill and his famous red handkerchief!

Gill carries a red handkerchief for every game he plays. Why? This is what he has to say,

"When I first started playing cricket we used to play with the red ball because in India you don't play white-ball cricket until a certain age group i.e the U-19s. And in the red-ball game, you can't carry a colored cloth with you to the match. So, when I first started playing with the white ball that is when I started wearing the handkerchief on my trousers. I don't why I chose the red handkerchief but for some reason, I liked the color so I started wearing it. And obviously, when you score runs and do well you tend to go with whatever you are doing at that moment. So that's one thing that kind of stuck with me and now I keep it with me all the time."

Shubman Gill's cricketing journey is marked by significant milestones that underscore his evolution as a premier batsman. Here's a comprehensive timeline highlighting key moments in his career:

Early Domestic Career & Under-19 International

Shubman Gill started grabbing headlines early on in his career for his impressive performances as a top-order batsman.

2014: Right at the outset, he left everyone stunned by his potential on the cricket field, scoring 351 runs in Punjab's Inter-District U16 tournament in 2014.
In the 2014-15 season, he amassed 1,018 runs at an average of 92.54 in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, leading Punjab to the title.
2013-14 & 2014-15: Gill's exceptional performances earned him the BCCI's Best Junior Cricketer award for two consecutive years.
2016: In his Under-16 debut for Punjab during the Vijay Merchant Trophy, he showcased his batting prowess by hitting a double century.
2017: He matched up to his high standards in his first tour of England soon after. Gill was a pivotal figure in India's Under-19 tour of England. Notably, he scored 147 runs in the third Youth ODI, contributing significantly to India's 3-0 series victory.
2016-17: Gill made his List A debut for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, further showcasing his potential in limited-overs cricket.
2017-18: He debuted in first-class cricket during the Ranji Trophy against Bengal, impressing with a half-century, followed by a maiden century against Services in his next match.
2018 (Under-19 World Cup Success): As vice-captain of India's Under-19 team, Gill amassed 372 runs at an average of 124.00 during the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
His stellar performance, including an unbeaten 102 in the semi-final against Pakistan, was instrumental in India's title win and earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
2018-19: Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, accumulating 728 runs in five matches.
October 2019: He was appointed captain of the India C team for the Deodhar Trophy, becoming the youngest cricketer to lead a side in the tournament at 20 years and 57 days, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record.

Did You Know?
Experts considered his bottom-handed technique in the match similar to Virat Kohli's.

International Debut & Progression

January 31, 2019: Gill made his One Day International (ODI) debut against New Zealand in the fourth ODI match of the series at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
December 26, 2020: He earned his Test cap against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, contributing significantly to India's historic series win with a crucial 91 at the Gabba.
January 3, 2023: Gill's T20 International debut came against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium.
January 18, 2023: Gill became the youngest cricketer to score a double century in ODIs (208 runs off 149 balls against New Zealand). This feat made him the fifth Indian to achieve an ODI double hundred.
October 22, 2023: He surpassed Hashim Amla's record to become the fastest player to reach 2,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 38 innings during a World Cup match against New Zealand.
February 1, 2023: Gill recorded the highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is, remaining unbeaten at 126 off 63 balls against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, breaking Virat Kohli's previous record.
It is safe to say that Shubman Gill's biography will be marked by these milestones that helped him solidify his position in the Indian cricket team.
2024 (ICC Men's T20 World Cup): He played a pivotal role in India's campaign during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, delivering key innings that highlighted his adaptability and skill in the shortest format.
Despite missing matches against Australia and Afghanistan due to dengue fever, he made a remarkable comeback, and how!
In the match against the Netherlands in Bengaluru, Shubman Gill became the inaugural batsman to amass 2,000 international runs in the current calendar year.
Shubman Gill, aged 24 years at the time, had a remarkable performance in the 2024 ODIs. He was the leading run-getter with an average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03.
He also topped the scoring charts during India's successful Asia Cup 2024 campaign.
February 12, 2025: Gill's century (112 off 95 balls) was instrumental in India's 142-run victory over England in Ahmedabad, leading to a 3-0 series sweep.
His partnership with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer set a formidable total of 356.
February 20, 2025: In the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh in Dubai, Gill's unbeaten 101 guided India to a six-wicket win. His composed innings anchored the chase of 229 runs.

Shubman Gill's IPL Journey

Shubman Gill's Indian Premier League (IPL) journey reflects his evolution from a promising young talent to a pivotal figure in the tournament.

IPL Career Timeline

2018: Gill made his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after being acquired for INR 1.8 crore. He played 13 matches, scoring 203 runs with a highest score of 57.
2019: He continued with KKR in the next season, featuring in 14 matches and amassing 296 runs, including a top score of 76.
2020: Retained by KKR, Gill played 14 matches, accumulating 440 runs with a highest score of 70.
2021: This year marked Gill’s final season with KKR (so far), where he participated in 17 matches, scoring 478 runs; his highest score was 57.
2022: Drafted by the Gujarat Titans (GT) for ₹8 crore ahead of their inaugural season. He played 16 matches, scoring 483 runs with a top score of 96.
2023: This was Gill's breakout season with GT, as he scored 890 runs in 17 matches, including three centuries, and also won the Orange Cap.
2024: Following following Hardik Pandya's departure and Giil’s an impeccable performance in the previous season, he was appointed captain of GT. In 12 matches, he scored 426 runs, including a century.
In this season, Gill has registered his name in the record books by becoming the second youngest player to score 2000 runs in Indian Premier League.
2025: Retained as GT's captain with an increased salary of ₹16.5 crore.

Breaking one record after another, Shubman Gill is all set to make it big in the sports world with his immaculate cricket skills. And we are all set to witness the magnificent performances of this fearless cricketer!

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Shreeya Thakur

Content Team

I am a biotechnologist-turned-writer and try to add an element of science in my writings wherever possible. Apart from writing, I like to cook, read and travel.

Updated On: 29 Mar'25, 11:55 PM IST