NEW DELHI: India's Test captain Shubman Gill opened up about his cricketing journey, revealing the inspirations that shaped his career. He said his passion for the game blossomed while watching legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who fuelled his dream of becoming a cricketer.
"I have had two idols. The first one was Sachin Tendulkar. He was my dad's favourite, and I actually got into cricket because of him. He retired in 2013, and around 2011–2013 was when I really started to understand cricket properly - not just the skills, but also the mental and tactical side of the game," Gill said in a podcast on Apple Music.
Gill said he was struck by Kohli's intensity and approach to the game. What impressed him wasn't just Kohli's technical skills or cricketing abilities - which any player can learn through practice - but the hunger and drive Kohli displayed every time he played.
"That was also the time I began following Virat Kohli closely. I loved watching the way he went about his business, the sheer passion he had for the game, and the hunger he carried. You can learn all the skills and all the techniques, but hunger is something you either have or you don't. Virat had it in abundance, and that really inspired me," he added.
Gill, who recently took over from Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain and now serves as vice-captain in white-ball formats, is currently playing in the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
Opening the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma in India's tournament opener against the hosts, Gill played a brisk knock. After India's bowlers skittled UAE for just 57, the chase was wrapped up in emphatic fashion within 4.3 overs, with Gill unbeaten on 20 off nine deliveries at a strike rate of 222.22.
