Under the scorching Dubai sun, where temperatures are relentless, cricketer Shubman Gill has been a picture of unwavering commitment during India’s Asia Cup training at the ICC Academy. Since early September, the 26-year-old has diligently attended nearly every session, meticulously refining his powerful hitting skills despite the energy-draining heat.
His desire to excel was particularly evident on the eve of the crucial Super 4 match against Pakistan. Gill spent a grueling 90 minutes in the nets, his bat a flurry of motion as he practiced powerful range-hitting, aiming to loosen his shoulders and send the ball flying. He was clearly focused on mastering this aspect of his game.
The entire Indian coaching team, including Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, Batting Coach Sitanshu Kotak, Fielding Coach T Dilip, and throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne from Sri Lanka, observed his every action. Kotak was seen having an in-depth tactical discussion with Gill, likely analyzing and refining his technique. Gill, recognized as India’s Test captain for his exceptional dedication, absorbed every piece of advice.
During this optional session on Saturday evening, only two other teammates were present: Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy. As expected, Gill’s close friend Abhishek was right there with him, sometimes exchanging playful banter and other times applauding Gill’s perfectly timed shots.
Despite scoring only 35 runs from 24 deliveries in his previous three Asia Cup appearances, Gill’s determination remained unshaken. This was before his explosive 28-ball 47 on Sunday, which contributed to a fantastic 105-run opening partnership with Abhishek. His performance throughout the 2025 season truly highlights his exceptional talent: over 650 runs with a strike rate exceeding 155 in the IPL, and an impressive 754 runs in the five-Test series against England.
The BCCI views Gill as more than just a prolific scorer; they see him as a future cricketing icon, a natural successor to legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Reports suggest selectors are keen to entrust him with leadership across all three formats. However, Gill’s T20I statistics are still developing. Before Sunday’s match, he had accumulated 613 runs in 24 games at an average of 29.19, with a strike rate of 139.64. Since his T20I debut in January 2023, he has shown glimpses of his immense potential, most notably with a spectacular century against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, where he smashed 126 runs off just 63 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 200.
While his T20 game, a blend of elegant stroke play and explosive hitting, continues to mature, his outstanding performances in the IPL and his remarkable adaptability clearly position him as a rising star. He is undoubtedly aware of the high strike rate benchmarks set by contemporaries like Sanju Samson (182.89) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (172.35).
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently commented on Sony TV, emphasizing the stability Gill has received from the team management. “The team and management have given him stability. There is no doubt about that. You’ve been made vice-captain. A year ago, you were out of T20 cricket; now you’re back. If you score runs, you’ll feel much better—and I don’t think runs are very far away,” Pathan remarked, highlighting the confidence placed in Gill.
Carrying the heavy burden of national expectations, Gill is perfectly poised to be a pivotal player in the upcoming T20 World Cup next year. Every practice session and T20 match he plays is a vital step towards that grand stage, and he appears fully determined to seize the opportunity.