“Pehle toh yakeen hi nahi hua, I was excited and very nervous at the same time,” Gill told Wah Cricket ABP News in an exclusive chat. “Sabse pehle toh main papa k pass gaya, woh so rahe the, unko jagake maine bola ki selection ho gaya.”
And Gill’s father, Lakhwinder Singh, just as docile in nature like Shubman, did not say anything. In Shubman’s words “Unhone bas mujhe hug kia bohut der tak.”
It was after all a dream first seen by the father which was gradually passed on to his son, who knew “Nothing except batting.” Cricket runs in the veins of the father-son duo. Lakhwinder Gill, who always wanted to be a cricketer, could not pursue his dreams because of various reasons – lack of opportunity and family support being the major ones behind it. But he played a key role in forming Shubman’s cricketing career, which first started to take flight when he was named in India’s U-19 squad couple of years ago.
The journey for the Gills which started in Fazilka district of Punjab could finally reach its destination thousands of miles away in New Zealand when the ODI series begins from January 23.
“If I get a chance I would like to express myself. I’ve worked so hard, practised for long hours all these years for this moment only, so would like to make the most of this opportunity,” said Gill after being named as the replacement for KL Rahul, who along with Hardik Pandya has been suspended pending inquiry for using inappropriate language in a TV show.
This won’t be the first time Gill will be seen in Indian colours (if he does make his debut) in New Zealand. Just a month ago, he was part of the India A side that toured New Zealand. Gill did not set the stage on fire but his tally of 124 runs in 3 innings wasn’t the worst in a tournament where most of the other Indian reserves struggled to conjure big scores.
That two of India’s ODIs are in Mount Maunganui, where India A played most of their matches a month ago holds Gill in good shape before the tour.
At 19 and a breakthrough Ranji season behind him, Gill hardly cares about the conditions though. “The plan for New Zealand is simple; don’t do anything out of the ordinary, just play normal cricket,” he said.
More than the A tour, Gill believed, it was his runs at the current Ranji Trophy that brought him in contention. After returning from the New Zealand tour, Gill scored 618 runs in 4 matches, which had a double ton and a sparkling 148 that almost saw Punjab chase down 341 runs in 57 overs on a Day 4 track against Hyderabad.
“It would’ve been great had we qualified but it was great to contribute,” Gill added.
Despite all the success in domestic games, the right-hander knows how hard it is to grab a spot in India's middle-order. When players like Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey and Mayank Agarwal are waiting in the wings, it becomes harder but just like his wristy swap shots, he was quick to brush aside the competition from others question. “I don’t think I’m fighting for a spot, If I do well, the spot will naturally be my own and I would get more chances to perform and prove myself,” Gill added.
After his father, if there’s anyone who plays a major role in Gill’s cricketing career, that is Rahul Dravid. “I haven't spoken to Rahul sir after selection, probably will call him after practice today but he is constantly in touch. I spoke to him on his birthday and he, as usual, encouraged me.”
Like a host of other youngsters, Gill too believed Dravid’s tips would come in handy in New Zealand. “He has been seeing me for the last 2 years… Even in New Zealand, he gave some valuable advice. He told me to tap the ball in gaps to keep the scoreboard moving, in foreign conditions you won’t get so many boundary balls so he told me to concentrate on singles,” Gill said.
Gill, currently in Mohali, is set to leave for New Zealand in a couple of days time.