Indian captain Shubman Gill recently made headlines with a stunning 269-run knock against England, yet his father’s immediate reaction wasn’t just praise, but a playful reminder about missing a triple century.
A Father’s Unique Praise
Shubman Gill’s remarkable innings in the second Test at Edgbaston saw him shatter several records. Despite this monumental achievement, his father, Lakhwinder Gill, had a very specific message for him.
“It means a lot coming from him. But he did also tell me that I missed my triple century,” Gill shared in a video released by the BCCI. He added that he hopes to cap off the match with a win.
Record-Breaking Performance
Gill’s 269-run innings wasn’t just his highest First-Class score, surpassing his 268 for Punjab in 2018, but also his maiden Test double hundred. This epic knock, spanning 387 balls, cemented his place in history.
He became the 26th Indian cricketer to score a Test double hundred. More impressively, he is now the first Asian captain to achieve a double century in a Test match played in England.
Gill also set a new benchmark for Indian batsmen in England, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s long-standing record of 221 runs at The Oval. Furthermore, his score now stands as the highest-ever Test score by an Indian captain, eclipsing Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 254 from 2019.
Heartfelt Family Messages
The BCCI video also featured touching audio messages from Gill’s parents. His father, Lakhwinder Gill, expressed immense pride, saying he thoroughly enjoyed watching his son bat, comparing it to his childhood days.
Gill’s mother, Keart Kaur Gill, also shared her joy. “Felt amazing watching you bat, keep going, God bless you,” she was heard saying, reflecting the family’s happiness and support.
Trusting Key Voices
When it comes to his cricket, Gill revealed he primarily listens to only two people. “This message means a lot to me,” he said, referring to his father’s words. “Growing up, I played almost all of my cricket for my dad, in the sense that it was because of him that I started playing.”
Besides his father, the only other person whose cricketing advice he values is his best friend, Khushpreet Aulakh. These two individuals, according to Gill, are the sole voices he truly considers regarding his game.
- Shubman Gill scored a record-breaking 269 against England, his first Test double century.
- He became the first Indian captain to score a Test double hundred in England.
- Gill’s score is now the highest by an Indian batsman in England and the highest by an Indian captain in Tests.
- His father’s initial reaction was a playful jab about missing a triple century, despite immense pride.
- Gill values cricket advice almost exclusively from his father and best friend.
Gill’s incredible innings and his family’s heartwarming reactions offer a peek into the personal side of a rising cricket star, showing that even at the pinnacle of success, family feedback remains paramount.
