Parents braved criticism to further Gill’s cricket career

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I still remember the flak I got when I left my village and aging parents for his cricket. Today, people from the village are proud. LAKHWINDER GILL, Shubman’s dad

MOHALI: The Mayfair housing society in Sector 70 was buzzing with activity since early morning on Tuesday. Television vans, cameramen, relatives and friends thronged House No 301 where the Gill family resides.

Shubman Gill had struck an unbeaten 94-ball 102 to help India beat Pakistan in the semifinal of the ICC Under-19 cricket World Cup at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, and father, Lakhwinder, was a proud man.

“This (attention) is new to us. I started receiving calls from 6am asking for our address. Shubman has done India and us proud with his match-winning knock. I still remember the flak I got when I left my village and aging parents for his cricket. Today, people from the village are proud. We are thankful to God,” said Lakhwinder about the 18-year-old who started preparing for the World Cup two years ago.

“Coach Rahul Dravid has played a big role in shaping this U-19 set of players and Shubman has looked up to him. He was not keen to know what happened in the IPL auction, whether he was sold or not,” he said.

“In fact, he was thinking about the semifinal against Pakistan. He is not expressive on the field but because the opposition was Pakistan he was pumped up and exulted after reaching three figures. He told me he will get the World Cup home. When that happens, we will be better prepared to host everyone,” said Lakhwinder.

During the post-match presentation, Shubman credited his father and friend Khushpreet for his achievements. “I will be preparing some Punjabi delicacies when he returns home. He deserves a treat after such performances,” said mother Keerat, who hoped the boy would find time to prepare for his XII exams.