From Fazilka to Immortality: Shubman Gill’s Historic Double Century
Shubman Gill’s Historic Double Century and the Fulfilment of a Father’s Dream
The roar of the crowd echoed through the stadium as Shubman Gill removed his helmet, kissed the Indian crest, and looked up at the heavens. With a majestic double hundred against United Kingdom, the 25-year-old from Fazilka had etched his name alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. But behind this historic moment lay a journey of sacrifice, relentless hard work, and a father’s unshakable belief.
This is the story of how a boy from a small Punjab village became India’s Test captain and the third Indian in 23 years to score a double century—a dream woven with passion, perseverance, and the echoes of a plastic ball hitting a mud wall in Fazilka.
Early Life & Childhood: The Fazilka Prodigy
A Humble Beginning born on September 8, 1999, in Fazilka, a quiet agricultural town in Punjab, Shubman Gill’s childhood was far from the glitz of international cricket. His father, Lakhwinder Singh, was a farmer who nurtured a dream—to see his son wear the Indian jersey.
First Steps in Cricket
Played with a plastic ball and homemade bat in the family’s courtyard.
Father noticed his talent early—at 3, he could already time the ball perfectly.
No proper cricket academy in Fazilka, so Lakhwinder would bowl to him for hours after farm work.
The Big Sacrifice
When Gill was 8, his father sold part of their farmland to move to Chandigarh for better training. “I didn’t want him to regret not getting the right opportunities,” Lakhwinder once said.
Early Cricket Career: The Making of a Star
Chandigarh’s Young Sensation
Joined Sector 26 Cricket Academy under coach Amit Sharma.
Dominated Punjab’s age-group cricket—scored a century in his first U-16 match.
2014: Hit a double century in a school tournament, catching national selectors’ eyes.
U-19 World Cup Glory
Under Rahul Dravid’s mentorship in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, Gill announced himself to the world:
372 runs at an average of 124, including a century in the semifinal.
Named Player of the Tournament, drawing comparisons to a young Virat Kohli.
India Debut & Test Career: The Gabba Miracle
White-Ball Debut (2019)
Debuted in ODIs vs New Zealand, scoring a classy 47.
2023 ODI Double Century (208 vs NZ): Joining an elite list with Sachin, Sehwag, and Rohit.
Test Cricket’s Proudest Moment
2020-21 Australia Tour:
**91* at Gabba**—the innings that won India the series.
Facing Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins on a fifth-day pitch, he announced his arrival as India’s next great opener.
Historic Double Hundred: Joining the Gods of Cricket
The Innings Breakdown
Runs: 200*
Strike Rate: 75+
Key Shots: Cover drives, pull shots against pace.
Emotional Celebration: Pointing to his father in the stands.
Elite Club
Third Indian after 23 years (since Dravid in 2001).
Only behind Virender Sehwag (2) and Sachin (6) in most double tons for India.
The Father’s Dream Fulfilled
Lakhwinder Singh’s Tears
As cameras panned to Gill’s father, the world saw a man who sold land, worked odd jobs, and slept in academy dormitories just to see this day.
Gill’s Words
“This is for my dad. Every run I score is his dream coming true.”
The Boy Who Became a Legend
From the wheat fields of Fazilka to leading India in Tests, Shubman Gill’s journey is more than cricket—it’s about dreams, sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond between a father and son.
As he raises his bat after another century, one thing is clear: This is just the beginning.