Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill delivered a stellar performance in the Birmingham Test against England on July 3, scoring a commanding 269 runs off 387 balls. His innings, laced with 30 boundaries and three sixes, helped India post a dominant first-innings total of 587. Yet, it was his father's reaction that stole hearts off the field.
In a video shared by the BCCI on Instagram after Day 2, Gill was seen reacting to voice messages from his parents. His father’s message struck a nostalgic chord: “Well played, I enjoyed watching your batting, and my heart was at peace. You were batting like in your U-16 and U-19 days — I felt very proud.” His mother echoed the sentiment with, “Felt amazing watching you bat, keep going, God bless you.”
Adding a dose of typical Indian parental humour, Gill revealed a behind-the-scenes moment. “It means a lot coming from him. But he also told me I missed my triple century,” he said with a smile, reflecting the affectionate but high standards set by his father.
Gill also spoke candidly about the two people whose cricketing opinions he values most: his father, who first introduced him to the sport, and his best friend—widely believed to be fellow Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma. “These are the only two people, when it comes to my cricket, that I care about and listen to,” Gill said.
With this marathon knock, Gill has not only bolstered India’s batting but also further cemented his credentials as a leader. As captain, all eyes will now be on him to translate this momentum into a series win against England.