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"He'll Not Recognise Me": UAE Spinner Recalls Facing Shubman Gill Ahead Of India Clash

Akshita Patel

Simranjeet Singh recalls playing with Shubman Gill in Punjab [Source: @ShubmanGill7fc, @PTI_News/X.com]Simranjeet Singh recalls playing with Shubman Gill in Punjab [Source: @ShubmanGill7fc, @PTI_News/X.com]

When Simranjeet Singh steps onto the field to bowl to Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025, it won’t just be another match for him; it will be a full-circle moment more than a decade in the making. The UAE spinner recently revealed bowling to India’s vice-captain in junior days.

India will begin its Asia Cup 2025 campaign on September 10 when they face UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a Group A clash. But for Singh, facing Gill will bring back a lot of memories.

When Simranjeet Singh Played For Punjab With Shubman Gill

The 35-year-old left-arm spinner, Simranjeet Singh, now part of the UAE national team, has a surprising connection with India’s batting star Shubman Gill.

Long before the bright lights of international cricket, Simranjeet, talking to PTI, revealed that he was just another young spinner grinding away at the Punjab Cricket Association Academy in Mohali. And the young boy he often bowled to in the nets was none other than a 12-year-old Gill.

"I have known Shubman since he was a kid, but I don't know if he remembers me. "It was around 2011 or 2012. We used to train from 6am to 11am, and Shubman would come with his father right at the end. I was someone who bowled a lot after our session was over. I must have bowled to him countless times," Simranjeet said.

Unlike many cricketers who rise through India’s domestic circuit, Simranjeet’s journey took a different path. He played district cricket, was once in the Ranji Trophy probables, and even bowled in the Kings XI Punjab nets. But the big break never came.

How Did Simranjeet Switch To The UAE?

Then came 2021, and the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Simranjeet had travelled to Dubai for a short training trip but got stuck due to lockdowns.

"From 2021, I started earning decent money coaching kids here. I contacted Lalchand Rajput sir after fulfilling the domestic criteria and got a trial. The dream was to play for India, but now that I’m playing for UAE, I think they will support UAE," he added.

Instead of returning home, he started coaching young players in the UAE. His skills were soon noticed, and after fulfilling domestic criteria, he earned a national contract. Now, he’s one of the UAE’s top T20I bowlers with 15 wickets in 12 matches and an economy rate under 6.