Did Shubman Gill Really Watch Harmanpreet Smash Bowlers?

New Delhi, Sep 19 (NationPress) Indian men's Test team captain Shubman Gill reminisced about his childhood experiences watching Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's team, dominate the competition at the academy. He noted that she displayed an aggressive batting style, consistently hitting bowlers across the field.

Harmanpreet is gearing up to lead India for the first time in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, commencing on September 30 in India and Sri Lanka.

“When I was around 10 or 11 years old, she would come to the academy where I practiced and play matches with us. I distinctly remember her hitting our bowlers all over the park. As a child, witnessing that was extraordinary. Her aggressive batting style was a departure from what was common at that time,” Gill shared during JioHotstar's special program ‘Champions Wali Baat: Believe in Blue’.

Gill further expressed admiration for Harmanpreet’s leadership, stating,

“When someone rises through the ranks, especially from our Punjab region, and becomes the captain of the country, it’s both an immense and proud moment. Observing Harmanpreet excel with such pride and joy is genuinely thrilling.”

Besides Gill, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya also voiced their support for the women’s team.

Suryakumar lauded Jemimah Rodrigues and expressed confidence in her abilities for the upcoming World Cup, saying, “It’s always encouraging to see someone from your hometown (Mumbai) who has played in numerous local matches, represent the state and progress to play for India. Jemimah has consistently been a standout performer, not only in World Cups but also in bilateral series.”

“Participating in the World Cup is a monumental opportunity, and I have faith she will excel as she’s a fantastic teammate who uplifts everyone around her. She brings incredible energy to the field,” he added.

Samson praised wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh for her poise and skill, stating, “We all enjoy watching Richa Ghosh. Her batting and wicketkeeping exude calmness and confidence. There’s much to learn from her. Wearing the blue jersey in this nation is a significant challenge, and it entails significant effort behind the scenes.”

Pandya also extended his best wishes to the women’s team ahead of the World Cup, saying, “I’m very enthusiastic and would like to wish the women’s team the best of luck. The entire nation is rallying behind you, and so are we. Go out there and enjoy the game. Don’t stress too much; just be yourself. Remember that a billion people are cheering for you and sending their love.”