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Shubman Gill’s childhood friend had once recalled a moment when Shubman had a “Rs 100 bet” where his father, Lakhwinder, promised Rs 100 to anyone who could defeat his son
Shubman Gill’s father, a farmer, had turned their farm into a cricket ground, enabling intense practice for him. (Photo: PTI)
The cricketing journey of Shubman Gill bears striking similarities to that of Yuvraj Singh. Both hail from Punjab, both rose to become major stars in Indian cricket, and in both cases, their fathers played a decisive role in shaping their careers.
The only contrast lies in their childhood ambitions; while Yuvraj initially leaned towards skating and tennis before embracing cricket, for Shubman, the game was his first and only passion. His father had one conviction that “he will make a big name”.
Shubman, who turned 26 on Monday, September 8, was born in Chak Kherewala village of Punjab’s Fazilka district. His father, Lakhwinder Singh, once dreamt of becoming a cricketer himself, but life circumstances made him a farmer instead. Determined to see his son live the dream he couldn’t, Lakhwinder went to extraordinary lengths, converting his farmland into a cricket ground for Shubman’s practice.
In Shubman’s early years, cricket was not just about discipline but also fun. His close friend Abhishek Sharma once recalled a light-hearted incident, saying that Shubman once had a “Rs 100 bet” during their childhood games where his father, Lakhwinder, announced a challenge – anyone who managed to defeat Shubman would earn a reward of Rs 100.
Behind the fun game was his father’s unusual method to sharpen his son’s skills. Young bowlers from across villages began lining up, and in the process, Shubman developed a fierce ability to bat long hours, honing his concentration and technique.
From tennis ball matches to leather ball cricket, Shubman’s transition was gradual. The turning point came when the family shifted to Jalalabad, where he began structured training at a local school. His cricketing wings, however, truly spread when his father enrolled him at an academy near Mohali stadium in Chandigarh.
The family’s sacrifices were immense. During floods in Punjab, Lakhwinder not only sought financial help from senior players like Harbhajan Singh but also invested all his energy and resources into ensuring his son’s growth. Engaged with body, mind and money, making arrangements for money, medicine and food, he turned his life into an act of penance so that Shubman could pursue cricket without distraction.
The Gills even moved into a rented house in Chandigarh to stay closer to the academy. Shubman’s daily routine became one of extraordinary discipline – waking up at 3.30 am, reaching the academy by 4 am, training all day, returning home in the evening, and then going back again with his father to observe the evening sessions.
What began as a father’s dream on a makeshift cricket field in Fazilka had by then transformed into a relentless pursuit of excellence, laying the foundation for the batsman India now celebrates.
September 08, 2025, 12:40 IST
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