In a ceremony brimming with prestige, Shubman Gill was bestowed the Polly Umrigar Award at BCCI’s Naman Awards in New Delhi, marking him as the Best International Cricketer in the men’s category. The young captain’s emotions ran high as he joined the ranks of cricket’s greatest.
‘To be honored among those legends and idols who’ve won this before me is truly special,’ Gill shared in a heartfelt BCCI video on X. He elaborated on the thrill of donning the Indian jersey, excelling on the field, and earning BCCI’s nod – a pinnacle any cricketer dreams of.
Diving into his recent exploits, Gill called his career trajectory ‘a brilliant journey.’ The England Test tour stood out: turning a precarious position after the first match into a drawn series, followed by triumphs in West Indies and Asia Cup, capping a stellar year.
Stats from England underscore his impact – 754 runs at 75.40 average over 10 innings, four tons, peaking at 269. Extending into 2025, he led Test run-scorers with 983 runs in nine games at 70.21.
Optimism fills Gill’s outlook for WTC aspirations. Vital clashes with Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia loom large, as India sits sixth (4 wins, 1 draw in 9). ‘We must win most to reach the final,’ he asserted.
Generous in praise, Gill lauded coach Gautam Gambhir, the support staff, and BCCI officials like Jay Shah. Their initiatives, from injury rehab to elite facilities, have been game-changers. ‘The support from BCCI, especially Jay bhai, has propelled our cricket forward,’ he noted.
Gill’s mantra? Forge a never-say-die red-ball team spirit. ‘That’s the character we’re building in every player,’ he vowed, inspiring fans with his leadership.