Shubman Gill joins Sachin & Anjali Tendulkar in Wimbledon Royal Box
Synopsis
Shubman Gill's appearance in the Wimbledon Royal Box alongside Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar was already a marquee cricket moment — but a viral photograph and widespread reports of Gill reportedly dating Sara Tendulkar turned it into something far bigger. Gill is now only the fourth Indian captain to receive this rare invitation, a list that began with Tendulkar himself.
Key Takeaways
Shubman Gill joined Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar in the Wimbledon Royal Box on 11 July 2026 .
Gill is the fourth Indian captain to be invited to the Royal Box, after Tendulkar, Virat Kohli , and Rohit Sharma .
He is also the fourth Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon in 2026, alongside Shikhar Dhawan and Deepti Sharma .
A photo Gill posted on X went viral, amplified by reports he is reportedly dating Sara Tendulkar .
Wimbledon's official X handle welcomed Tendulkar back as 'cricket royalty.' In the semifinals, Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic ; Alexander Zverev defeated wildcard Arthur Fery .
India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill joined cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar in the prestigious Royal Box at Centre Court, Wimbledon, on Friday, 11 July, to watch the men's singles semifinals at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The appearance drew widespread attention, with a photograph Gill shared via his official handle on X going viral among cricket fans.
A Historic Presence for Indian Cricket
Gill becomes only the fourth Indian captain to receive an invitation to the Royal Box at Wimbledon, following Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. He is also the fourth Indian cricketer to visit the iconic grass courts of SW18 in 2026, alongside Shikhar Dhawan, Deepti Sharma, and Tendulkar.
Wimbledon Welcomes Cricket Royalty
The official Wimbledon handle on X posted a photograph of Tendulkar watching the action from the Royal Box, welcoming him back with the words: 'Cricket royalty returns to the Royal Box. Welcome back to Wimbledon, Sachin Tendulkar.' The Club extended a warm welcome to both Tendulkar and Gill as part of its celebrity guest list for the day.
West Indies batting great Brian Lara was also among the distinguished guests in the Royal Box, which is reserved exclusively for invitees of the All England Club. During their time in the box, Gill and Tendulkar mingled with several international celebrities — notably, Gill was photographed with fashion icon Anna Wintour.
The Viral Photograph and the Tendulkar Connection
The photograph of Gill seated alongside Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar in the Royal Box, posted by the Indian captain on his official X handle, rapidly went viral. The excitement among fans was amplified by widespread reports that Gill is reportedly dating Sara Tendulkar, daughter of the cricket legend — lending the image an added layer of intrigue beyond sport.
On-Court Action: Sinner Sets Up Final Against Zverev
On the court below, the semifinals produced two compelling contests. Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the second semifinal to book his place in the final, where he will face Alexander Zverev, who ended the remarkable run of British wildcard Arthur Fery. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, retired from international cricket in 2013 after his 200th Test match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His continued presence at marquee global sporting events underscores his stature as an enduring ambassador of the game. With Gill now joining that exclusive list of Indian captains welcomed into the Royal Box, the tradition of Indian cricket's royalty gracing Wimbledon shows no signs of fading.
Point of View
Kohli, Sharma, and now Gill — signals how deliberately the All England Club courts Indian cricket's biggest names as it grows its Asian audience. But the viral moment here was never really about tennis: it was about the optics of Gill sitting beside the Tendulkars at a time when his reported relationship with Sara Tendulkar is an open secret. Indian sports media's obsession with that subtext risks overshadowing what is, in itself, a genuine milestone for a captain who has only recently assumed the role.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shubman Gill at Wimbledon 2026?
Shubman Gill attended Wimbledon on 11 July 2026 as an invited guest of the All England Club, watching the men's singles semifinals from the Royal Box at Centre Court in London. He is the fourth Indian captain to receive such an invitation.
Who else was with Shubman Gill in the Wimbledon Royal Box?
Gill was seated alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar. West Indies batting great Brian Lara was also among the guests. Gill also met fashion icon Anna Wintour during his time in the box.
Why did the Wimbledon Royal Box photo go viral?
The photograph went viral because it showed Gill seated with Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar, and is widely reported that Gill is dating Sara Tendulkar, the cricket legend's daughter. The image was posted by Gill on his official X handle.
Which Indian captains have been invited to the Wimbledon Royal Box?
Shubman Gill is the fourth Indian captain to be invited, following Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. He is also one of four Indian cricketers to visit Wimbledon in 2026, alongside Shikhar Dhawan, Deepti Sharma, and Tendulkar.
What happened in the Wimbledon 2026 men's singles semifinals?
Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the second semifinal to reach the final, where he will face Alexander Zverev. Zverev had earlier ended the run of British wildcard Arthur Fery in the other semifinal.
