In 2018, a young cricketer from Punjab burst onto the scene, showcasing his immense talent on one of the biggest stages for budding cricketers: the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Scoring a staggering 372 runs at an average of 124, this prodigious talent earned the Player of the Tournament award, making the cricketing world take notice. Soon after, he found himself playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and later, breaking records for the Indian national team.

Now at just 25 years old, Shubman Gill has already cemented his place as one of the most exciting talents in cricket, consistently setting new benchmarks in domestic cricket, the IPL, and on the international stage. As we celebrate Shubman Gill’s birthday, let’s take a deep dive into some of the special facts that highlight the journey of the Prince of Indian Cricket.

1: A Heartwarming First Bat

Not many know that Shubman Gill’s first bat was not one of the branded, perfectly balanced ones used by cricketers today. Instead, it was a bat carved out of a tree trunk by his grandfather. His father, who had a deep interest in cricket, used a straw mat to simulate pace and bounce for the young Gill. The bat had a ball-sized dent in the middle, and seeing how Gill middled almost every ball convinced his father that his son had a special talent. This simple beginning marked the start of what would become an extraordinary cricketing journey.

2: First-Class Debut Against Bengal - November 17, 2017

Gill’s First-Class journey began in 2017 when he made his debut for Punjab against Bengal. He made an immediate impact, scoring a well-constructed 63 in the first innings. His elegant stroke play and strong temperament offered a glimpse of the extraordinary talent that would soon set the cricketing world ablaze.

3: Player of the Series in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup

Gill made a stunning impact on the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, where he truly showcased his talent on a global stage. He amassed 372 runs in just five innings, boasting an unbelievable average of 124. His performance included three fifties and a memorable century scored in the semi-final against Pakistan. Gill’s exceptional display earned him the Player of the Tournament award, offering a glimpse of his potential and foreshadowing his future success in international cricket.

4: Youngest captain to lead a side in Deodhar Trophy Finals!

Shubman Gill made history as the youngest captain to lead a team in the Deodhar Trophy finals. At just 20 years and 57 days old, he captained India C against India B in the 2019/2020 season. Despite India B emerging victorious in that match, Gill's leadership qualities were evident, signaling his potential as a future star in the cricketing world.

5: ODI Debut Against New Zealand - January 31, 2019

With the 2019 ODI World Cup just around the corner, the Indian selectors decided to give the prodigious Shubman Gill a chance on the tour of New Zealand at the start of the year. It was a tough initiation into international cricket, and Shubman was unable to make a big score in his first two innings. But even in those brief knocks, he managed to leave a mark; a picture-perfect on-drive off Matt Henry was enough to suggest that there was something special about this 19-year-old.

6: Test Debut Against Australia - December 26, 2020

Shubman Gill could not have asked for a better stage for his Test debut than the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Playing against a formidable Australian side, Gill impressed everyone with his composure and technique. In the first innings, he scored 45, followed by 35 in the second, helping India bounce back from a devastating loss at the Adelaide Oval to secure a memorable win at the MCG. However, it was in the legendary Gabba Test that Gill truly announced his arrival on the world stage. Chasing over 320 runs to win the series, Gill played a fearless knock of 91, taking on the likes of Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins with confidence and flair. His innings was the highest for India in that match and laid the foundation for an unforgettable series victory.

7: T20I Debut Against Sri Lanka - January 3, 2023

Given Gill’s meteoric rise in ODIs, it was a bit of a surprise that he had to wait till 2023 to make his T20I debut. It finally came against Sri Lanka in January 2023. While his first couple of games were quiet, he showed his class with a knock of 46 at Rajkot. Soon after the Sri Lanka series, New Zealand toured India, and that is when Gill made his mark in T20Is too.

In only his sixth T20I, he wrote his name in the record books by making India’s highest ever T20I score - a record that still stands - smashing 126* off just 63 deliveries, leading India to a total of 234. 

8: Highest Individual score for India in T20Is

At the onset of Shubman Gill’s T20I career, New Zealand's tour of India included a 3-match T20I and ODI series. Following his remarkable 208 in the ODIs, Gill continued his stellar form in the T20Is, scoring an unbeaten 126. This innings set a new record for the highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record of 122, achieved against Afghanistan in 2022. Gill’s explosive performance further solidified his reputation as a burgeoning star in international cricket.

9: Centuries in International Cricket

In his young career, Shubman Gill has already amassed several centuries across formats. As of his 25th birthday, he has scored four centuries in 25 Tests, with the latest coming against England earlier this year. In ODIs, Gill has been even more prolific, with six centuries in 47 matches. He also has a T20I century to his name, scored against New Zealand in 2023, an unbeaten 126* that remains the highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is.

10: Youngest Batter to Score a Double Century in ODIs

Gill has already etched his name in the record books with a stunning double century in ODIs. He achieved this feat against New Zealand in January 2023, becoming the fifth Indian player to score a double century in ODIs, following players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan. At just 23 years and 132 days old, he is the youngest cricketer to achieve this milestone, further solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest talents in world cricket.

11: A Remarkable Batting Average 

One of the most remarkable aspects of Shubman Gill’s ODI career is his incredible batting average. As of his birthday, he averages 58.2, placing him second in the all-time list of highest batting averages in ODIs, just behind Netherlands' Ryan ten Doeschate (with a cut-off of 1,000 runs). With many more years of cricket ahead of him, it will be fascinating to see what heights he reaches by the end of his career.

12: Fastest Indian Player to Reach 1000 ODI Runs 

Gill seems to have a penchant for breaking records in ODIs. He became the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs in ODIs, achieving the milestone in just 19 innings. This remarkable feat places him in joint second place among all players, tied with Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq, who also reached the 1000-run mark in 19 innings.

13: Fastest Player to Reach 2000 ODI Runs 

Gill went on to break the record for the fastest player overall to reach 2000 runs in ODIs. After taking 19 innings to reach his first 1000 runs, he took another 19 innings to get to 2000 runs, achieving the milestone during the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand. In doing so, he broke the long-standing record held by South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who had taken 40 innings to reach 2000 runs.

14: Reaching the pinnacle in ICC ODI Rankings

Gill’s consistent performances in ODIs had earned him the top spot in the ICC ODI Rankings, a feat he reached during the 2023 ODI World Cup. In doing so, Gill became the second-fastest Indian behind MS Dhoni to reach the landmark.

15: A Century in All Formats

Shubman Gill has joined an elite list of Indian cricketers who have scored a century in all formats of the game. He achieved this remarkable feat within a span of just six months—his first ODI century came in August 2022, his first Test century in December 2022, and his first T20I century in January 2023. With this achievement, Gill became the fifth Indian to score a century in all formats, joining the likes of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli.

16: Youngest Batter to Score a Century in All Formats

While joining the elite list of Indian cricketers with centuries in all formats is a significant achievement, Shubman Gill stands out as the youngest to do so. At just 23 years and 146 days old, he accomplished this remarkable feat, underscoring his extraordinary talent and potential to break even more records in the years to come.

17: An Incredible 2023

The year 2023 was a landmark season in Shubman Gill's career, marked by exceptional performances in both ODIs and the IPL. In ODIs, Gill amassed a staggering 1,584 runs, the highest by any player that year, significantly outpacing Virat Kohli, who scored 1,377 runs. His tally included five centuries and nine fifties, highlighted by a spectacular 208 against New Zealand in January 2023.

18: Making a mark in the IPL 

At just 18 years and 217 days old, Shubman Gill made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. Gill quickly found his rhythm, scoring 203 runs in his debut season. His performance improved in the following seasons, with 296 runs in 2019, earning him the Emerging Player of the Season award. He has scored over 400 runs in every season since - including a mammoth 890-run season in 2023 - establishing himself as one of the league’s best batters. 

19: Winning the Orange Cap 

The year 2023 will undoubtedly be a memorable one for Shubman Gill. Not only did he shine in international cricket, but he also had a stellar season in the IPL, winning the Orange Cap in what proved to be a breakout tournament for him. Gill amassed 890 runs in the season, making him the second-highest run-scorer in a single IPL season, only behind Virat Kohli’s 973 runs in 2016. Gill is also the youngest cricketer to win the Orange Cap, achieving this feat at just 23 years old.

20: Youngest to win the Orange Cap in IPL

Shubman Gill's stellar performance in the 2023 IPL season saw him amass 890 runs, earning him the Orange Cap for the most runs scored. This achievement made him only the second player after Virat Kohli to score the most runs in a single season. Notably, Gill also became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap, claiming the award at just 23 years of age.

Shubman Gill's journey from a young prodigy to one of the most promising cricketers in the world has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 25, he continues to make history, and the world eagerly awaits the many more records he is sure to break in the future.

21: Fourth Player to Cross 800 Runs in an IPL season

Shubman Gill's outstanding performance in the 2023 Indian Premier League saw him surpass the 800-run mark, making him only the fourth player in IPL history to achieve this feat. In fact, he ended up just 10 runs shy of being the second player behind Virat Kohli to cross the 900-run mark. Gill's 890 runs earned him the Orange Cap, placing him in an elite group alongside Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, and David Warner. Warner scored 848 runs in 2016, Buttler reached 863 runs in 2022, and Kohli set the record with 973 runs in 2016. Gill's achievement underscores his status as one of the league's top performers.

22: Highest score in IPL Playoffs

Performing in the league stages is one thing, but delivering in the pressure of the Playoffs is a different challenge altogether. Gill rose to the occasion in a crucial Qualifier 2 match against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023. Batting first, Gill was in sensational form, dismantling the Mumbai bowlers with relentless aggression. He smashed 129 runs off just 60 balls, powering Gujarat Titans to a formidable total of 233. His innings not only secured the win for Gujarat but also ensured their place in the finals. Gill's 129 remains the highest individual score in the IPL Playoffs, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure with remarkable flair.

23: Youngest Player to Play 100 IPL Matches

Adding to his list of records, Gill became the youngest player to play 100 matches in the IPL. He reached this milestone on April 24, 2024, while playing against Delhi Capitals. This achievement is a testament to Gill’s consistency and durability in one of the most demanding cricket leagues in the world.

24: A True Titan

Like Virat Kohli, who has scored all his IPL centuries for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Shubman Gill has also demonstrated his loyalty by scoring all four of his centuries for Gujarat Titans. Gill's century spree began in 2023, where he notched up three centuries, starting with his first against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by a century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He capped off the season with a stunning 129 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians. Continuing his fine form, Gill added a fourth century in 2024, this time against Chennai Super Kings, further cementing his reputation as a consistent match-winner for Gujarat Titans.

25: Scoring the IPL’s 100th Hundred

Brendon McCullum scored the very first IPL century all the way back in 2008. Gill can proudly claim the distinction of scoring the 100th IPL century. He achieved this milestone with a splendid 104 against Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad on May 10, 2024. In the same match, Sai Sudharsan followed up by scoring the 101st century in IPL history.