Lakhwinder Singh Gill, a well-off farmer from Chakh Khere Wala village, about 10km from the Indo-Pakistan border, took a big leap when he moved to Mohali to support his son Shubman’s cricket dreams. At just under nine years old, Shubman’s favorite ‘toy’ was a cricket bat that his granddad, Sardar Didar Singh, gave him. This isn’t just about a determined dad pushing his son; it’s about Shubman’s journey driven by discipline, dedication, and determination.
On June 20, when Shubman steps out in his India blazer against England’s Ben Stokes at Headingley, Lakhwinder will have plenty to celebrate. It’s been 16 years in the making, and it’s not just a success story; it’s about family sacrifices and a relentless pursuit of excellence. They skipped social events and family outings just to keep Shubman focused on cricket. “We hadn’t been to any weddings in years to make sure our son stayed on track,” Lakhwinder shared with PTI after Shubman’s Under-19 World Cup hundred against Pakistan in 2018.
The Gill family had the means to support Shubman from the start. Granddad Didar made a makeshift pitch at his home in Fazilka, and Lakhwinder moved the family to Chandigarh, leaving behind a comfortable village life. It’s a classic case of being in the right spot at the right time and making things happen.
Back in 2011, former Indian bowler Karsan Ghavri came across Shubman while scouting for a pace bowling camp in Mohali. He noticed that no batters could face the bowlers and, while strolling near PCA Stadium, stopped to watch an Under-14 game where Shubman’s batting stood out. He asked a nearby man—Lakhwinder—who the talented boy was. “That’s my son Shubman, and he’s 12,” Lakhwinder replied. Without wasting any time, Ghavri invited Shubman to attend the camp the next day. Soon after, Shubman was playing against some of the best Under-19 bowlers with ease.
Gill got fast-tracked into the Punjab U-14 team thanks to Ghavri’s support. His good fortune didn’t stop there. On another occasion in 2018, during India A’s tour of England, MSK Prasad’s selection committee had a tough decision regarding Anmolpreet Singh. While Anmol had a solid season, Rahul Dravid, the head coach, made a personal request to pick Shubman instead. The selectors couldn’t say no, and before long, Shubman was in the India A team, only months after the Under-19 World Cup win.
Shubman not only had runs but also the right technique and mindset, which are crucial at higher levels. Dravid saw something special in him and wanted to prevent Shubman from lingering too long in domestic cricket. After some solid performances, including a double hundred against West Indies A, Shubman’s career really took off.
Though he’s still developing in Test matches, his skills in ODIs are impressive. He has a great batting style and has become a key player for the team. As for leadership, his role seems to be growing in the current IPL, and if he becomes captain, having Gautam Gambhir alongside could be beneficial. The road ahead won’t be easy, and success isn’t guaranteed, but Shubman is certainly dedicated. Indian cricket is ready for a fresh start with him at the helm.