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“He Was Destined To…”: Punjab Coach Lauds Gill’s Rise As Inspiration For Future Stars

Poulomi Chakraborty

Punjab Coach Sandeep Sharma Hails Gill (Source: AFP Photos)Punjab Coach Sandeep Sharma Hails Gill (Source: AFP Photos)

Punjab has produced some outstanding cricket talents, but few have shone as brightly as Shubman Gill. Being just a young boy from a village in the state, Gill has been appointed as Team India’s Test skipper just before the Test series against England.

As the domestic cricket season is returning back on Indian soil, Punjab is eyeing a stronger bounce-back from their long-lasting struggle. Ahead of that, Punjab's head coach, Sandeep Sharma, said that Shubman Gill’s rise will serve as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of cricketers.

Gill’s Journey Becomes Punjab’s Guiding Light

Born in a small village in Punjab, Shubman Gill’s relentless hunger for cricket pushed him to take giant strides in the game. From an Under-19 World Cup winner, the Indian batter made his debut for the senior side, and there was no looking back. With his undying spirit, immense talent, and hunger to become better pushed himself to achieve great things. From being a Punjab player to leading Team India in Test, Gill’s journey speaks about his class.

With his rapid rise, he has been a living inspiration for thousands of youngsters in Punjab. While leading the side in England, the Indian batter ended up as the highest run scorer of the series. Speaking to The Hindu, Punjab’s Head Coach Sandeep Sharma hailed Gill as a ‘Special Player’.

“Shubman is a special player. I’ve seen him since he was around 15 years old — we knew even then that he was destined to go far. It was clear — Shubman was going to be world-class,” he said.

Determination And Grit Fuel Gill's Glory

After taking charge as the Test skipper, Gill was handed over the vice-captaincy of the side ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Hailing the immense success, the Punjab coach credited his hunger and discipline.

“Now he’s the captain of the Indian team and vice-captain in the white-ball formats. He has worked closely with Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), and they share a strong bond. During Covid, he and Abhishek Sharma trained and stayed together — they used to work out, practice, and push each other. That kind of discipline and hunger pays off. What you see today is the result of consistent effort and focus,” he added.

Initially, Shubman Gill was set to lead the North Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. But after a blood Test, he is set to miss the tournament due to illness. As the Asia Cup 2025 is in horizon, Gill’s presence will be crucial for Team India.