Midnight surprise for Shubman
Shubman Gill was surprised when BCCI announced his name as replacement for suspended KL Rahul late Saturday night. “I was pleasantly surprised. Generally, I go to bed at 10.30 pm, but was awake till 1am on Saturday night when I got a call. One of my friends conveyed the good news to me,” said Gill. “I was so overjoyed with the news that I could not resist the temptation of waking my father (Lakhwinder Singh), who was fast asleep,” he added. The 19-year-old top order batsman does not think too much about the fact that his selection in the team is only because of BCCI’s decision to suspend Rahul and Pandya. “I can’t comment on their behavior. But when selectors have showed confidence in me, I will try to justify my selection. My last year experience in New Zealand for two tours (Under-19 and India A tour) will hold me in good stead. If I get a chance to play in the final XI, I will try my best to perform,” he added. Gill’s father, Lakhwinder, wanted to become a cricketer but could not fulfill his dream but now hopes his son makes it big. “My father owns agricultural lands in Fazilka (Punjab). He would often hire the labours to throw balls and give me batting practice,” Gill recalled.