Most aspiring cricketers’ ultimate goal is to earn the national cap, make their debut for the team, and make the most of the long-awaited opportunity. Recently, India’s Shubman Gill, who was only 19, won the U-19 World Cup. In 2019, while on tour in New Zealand, he won his first ODI cap but went on to score only nine runs off 21 balls as India lost by eight wickets in Hamilton. Gill was sitting on the sidelines, feeling down, when the great MS Dhoni approached him. Once they had finished talking, Gill broke out in a broad grin. Gill remembered the advice given to him by the former India captain three years later.
Gill, appearing on Sonam Bajwa’s talk program Dil Diyan Gallan, remembers feeling dejected after being removed very early into the game. Dhoni approached him at that moment and brought up his own debut. Gill continued by saying that the seasoned wicketkeeper’s international debut in 2004 saw him removed for a golden duck. Dhoni had not even faced a ball before he was run out.
Shubman Gill reveals what MS Dhoni told him when he got out for a low score in his debut game for India
Shubman Gill (in Dil Diyan Gallan show) said “I was sitting outside & was sad after scoring 9 runs on my debut – then Mahi bhai came to me, I was around 18 or 19 years, he told that at least your debut was better than me, he started joking & laughing – it was a great gesture”.
Gill is currently in New Zealand with the Indian team for the Twenty20 International series, which consists of three matches. On Friday, the first match of the series was cancelled due to rain. The second match of the series will take place at the Bay Oval on Sunday. Shubman Gill will want to score big in that game.
Shubman Gill (in Dil Diyan Gallan show) said "I was sitting outside & was sad after scoring 9 runs on my debut – then Mahi bhai came to me, I was around 18 or 19 years, he told that at least your debut was better than me, he started joking & laughing – it was a great gesture".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 19, 2022
