Shubman

Gill

Shubman Gill Biography and Career

Shubman Gill is one of the new-age superstars of the Indian cricket team and has all the ingredients to rule world cricket in years to come. Gill is the youngest batsman in the history of ODI cricket to score a double hundred and also has all the leadership qualities which are required in a cricketer. He has the hunger, the cricketing acumen, and most importantly the talent to take down any bowler on his day.

Born in Fazika, Punjab, Gill was touted for greater things right from a young age. His father saw the potential in him quite early and wanted his son to become a cricketer. But the facilities in Fazika were not up to scratch so he moved with his family to Mohali and rented a flat near the stadium, which had a much better cricket infrastructure. 

Gill received his initial coaching in school before he joined the Punjab Cricket Association Academy, which is the home of Punjab cricket. Right from his younger days, Gill was always among the runs and used to grab headlines for his scoring potential. He was still a teenager when he made his senior Punjab debut, but his run-scoring appetite remained on another level.

Gill has risen up the ranks in domestic cricket and succeeded at every level. Be it Under-13, Under-16 or Under-19 - Gill was always among the runs. A key landmark in his career came at the Under-19 World Cup of 2018 where he was named India’s vice-captain. While all the limelight was on captain Prithvi Shaw, Gill emerged as India’s highest run-getter with 418 runs at an average of 104.50. He was a key reason behind India winning the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand that year. 

Another important milestone for Gill came while he was still in New Zealand playing the World Cup when he was picked for a whopping Rs 1.8 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL auction of 2018. It showed how much Indian cricket and the BCCI valued him, and he soon made his debut for the KKR franchise. 

Gill was just 20 when he made his ODI debut against New Zealand. His Test debut came in one of the most daunting games: the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. But not for one minute, did Gill seem out of place as he took on the pace of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. His 91 in India’s famous Gabba win which also gave them the series is the stuff of dreams. 

The year 2023 quickly became Gill’s year. He smashed an ODI double century against New Zealand and later in the year became just the fifth Indian to score a century in all three formats of the game. Gill was also part of the Indian team that reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. 

Another important milestone in Gill’s career came when with a number of seniors rested, he was named captain of the Indian team for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2024. It showed that the BCCI is looking at Gill as a future captain.

Gill was part of the KKR squad from 2018 to 2021 and also top-scored for them in 2020 and 2021, when KKR made it to the final. Ahead of the IPL 2022 auction, Gill was picked up by Gujarat Titans for Rs. 8 crore. He had a bumper season amassing 890 runs, the second-highest for any player in a single IPL season. 

In 2024, Gill was handed the Titans captaincy and he will continue leading the side in IPL 2025. While it is still early days for Gill, he is seen as Virat Kohli’s successor in the Indian team and he sure has started that journey on point.

Beyond Cricket

Shubman Gill has attracted a lot of fans and is one of the most sought-after cricketers in the Indian team. With that, he also has a number of brand endorsements. The difference between other cricketers and Gill is that he is very picky with his brand deals because he uses most of the products which he endorses. He feels that the “brand partnerships need to be authentic.”

Gill endorses products such as Casio, Beats electronics, Tata capital, CEAT, Gillette, Nike, My11 Circle and Fiama Men among others. 

While he has never been open about his relationships, Gill has been linked with several actresses. In May 2023, it was revealed that Gill had lent his voice to the Hindi and Punjabi versions of Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse. He has also been featured on the cover of the GQ Magazine.

Gill wears the No. 77 on the back of his jersey. He said that he wanted No. 7, but because that wasn’t available, he went with two 7s. Gill is also superstitious and always carries a red handkerchief in his pocket.

Shubman Gill Awards 

• IPL 2019 Emerging Player of the Tournament
• Player of the Tournament in the Under-19 World Cup 2018
• ODI batter of the year and international cricketer of the year (2022)
• ICC Player of the Month award in January 2023 and September 2023
• Polly Umrigar Award for the best cricketer of the year in 2024
• BCCI award for the best junior cricketer (2013-14 and 2014-15)
• Orange Cap award in IPL 2023

Shubman Gill Records 

Shubman Gill ODI Records

• Youngest double-centurion: Gill was only 24 when he smashed a double ton against New Zealand, making him the youngest double-centurion in the history of ODI cricket.
• Fastest Indian to 1000 ODI runs:  Gill recorded 1000 ODI runs in his 19th ODI innings, making him the third-fastest overall and the fastest Indian to the mark in the format.
• Fastest to 2000 ODI runs: Achieved during his 38th innings, the fastest-ever to the mark in the history of ODI cricket.

Shubman Gill T20I Records

• Maiden T20I century: Gill recorded his maiden and so far only T20I century against New Zealand in February 2023
• Highest T20I score: His 126 is the highest T20I score for an Indian in T20I cricket

Shubman Gill Overall International Records

• Century in each format: Gill is the fifth Indian to score a century across all three formats

Shubman Gill IPL Records

• Orange Cap winner (2023): Gill amassed 890 runs in IPL 2023, which included three centuries. This is the second highest tally of runs for any batter in any IPL season behind Virat Kohli’s 973 in 2016.
• Most runs for KKR (2020 and 2021): Gill was KKR’s highest run scorer for two successive years in 2020 (420 runs) and 2021 (478 runs).
• Highest individual score in IPL (2023): Gill recorded his highest score in the IPL in 2023 - 129 against Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad
• Gujarat Titans captain (2024): Gill was named Titans captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season after Hardik Pandya moved back to Mumbai Indians

Shubman Gill Other Records

• Youngest player to lead a side in the Deodhar Trophy, India’s domestic tournament. 
• Gill recorded a double hundred in a first-class game for an Indian team in August 2019 at the age of 19.
• He was the leading run-scorer for India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018