Shubman Gill may be one of Indian cricket’s brightest stars today, but his journey to the top wasn’t without its hurdles. The India Test captain recently opened up about an incident from his childhood, revealing how he was once kicked out of an academy after his father had a falling out with the coach.
Early Training at Home
From the age of three, Shubman was passionate about cricket. His first training sessions took place at his family farm, where he would often ask farm workers to bowl at him. This early start laid the foundation for his cricketing future.
The Move to Chandigarh and the Academy Incident
When Gill was seven, his father moved the family to Chandigarh, hoping to provide better facilities and opportunities for his son. Shubman joined a public academy, but things soon turned sour. His father had a disagreement with the coach, and as a result, they were asked to leave the academy.
In a recent podcast with Apple Music, Shubman recalled the challenging period. “My dad had a falling out with the academy coach, and we were kicked out. It was a public academy, not a private one. The coach had sessions from 6-10 in the morning and 4-6 in the evening. My dad used to wake me up at 3 AM to practice before the coach arrived,” Gill shared. “I would practice from 3 to 6, then go to school, come back, and practice again from 11 to 3. This went on for a couple of years. It was tough, but I have no bad memories. My dad kept pushing me, and I’m grateful for that.”
Deciding to Pursue Professional Cricket at 11
At just 11 years old, Gill realized cricket was his calling. He recalled an Under-23 match in 2010, where he played a stunning 90-run knock against players twice his age. “I was batting at number seven or eight, and most of our top order was out early. I came in and scored 90 not out in a practice match. That moment gave me so much confidence, and that’s when I knew cricket would be my career,” he said.
Recent Performances and Looking Ahead
Recently, Gill continued to showcase his talent with an unbeaten 20 in India’s comfortable victory over UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup. His performance helped India chase down a target of 58 with ease, ensuring a nine-wicket win.
As India gears up for the next match against Pakistan, fans will be eager to see how Gill performs against Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
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