India national cricket team Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has credited his father, Lakhwinder Singh Gill, for the success of his cricket career.
Shubman Gill stated that his father always wanted him to become a cricketer, and that inspired him to be one.
Gill made these comments at the relaunch of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at Mohali, Punjab, in response to India's scheduled to play two Test matches against Sri Lanka from the 15th of August in Galle. India captain also talked about his family's free cricket academy and narrated a beautiful story about his love for cricket.
Shubman Gill on his father's love for the game.
In his speech, Gill also disclosed that his family has a free cricket academy in their village where young children from surrounding villages come to practice. He also added that his father visits the academy whenever he is free from his work and likes to watch young cricketers practising. Gill says his dad calls him up to watch kids with great talent, although they are just 6 or 7 years old.
He would say to me, 'Come and see this boy bat,' or he'd point to a different kid and say, 'See how he's fielding; he is a very good fielder.' Even if that kid was only six or seven.
Gill also revealed that his father's passion for cricket has not diminished over the years and feels it to be the biggest reason for his own success.
I believe my father always dreamt of seeing me play cricket. I believe one can say this because of the love and passion he has for cricket; I can sit here today.
The story of Lucky's kurta and the guy who is responsible for Gill becoming a superstar . Finally, Gill imparted a fun family tale which always proves to be a hit. He revealed how his father is convinced that donning a kurta-pyjama on India days brings them good fortune.
Gill signed off by saying:
"My dad is a little superstitious. He always says that when he wears a kurta-pyjama, we either win the game or I score runs. That's why he always wears it whenever he leaves the house."
Watch here:
The biggest influence in shaping his career his father, Lakhwinder Singh Gill (his father) from Punjab, a farmer who wanted to be a cricketer himself but couldn't. So he spent his whole life working towards fulfilling his father's dream.
He had set up a practice pitch on his farm and used to bowl almost 500 to 700 balls every day. He set up special practice drills for his son, and whenever somebody dismissed his son, he would give a prize to the bowler. He took his family from Fazilka to Mohali so that Shubman could get nice coaching and excel in the game.
In the present, too, Lakhwinder Singh Gill is helping the aspiring young cricketers in the family free academy, and Shubman Gill often seconds the opinion of remembering his father and putting faith in him.