Shubman Gill, who is now the Indian Test skipper was once a rookie in the IPL in 2018. He was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) that year in the mega auction.
Dinesh Karthik was chosen as the skipper for KKR that season and led the side till 2021. Gill also played at KKR between 2018-2021, improving with every season he played.
After his first two years with KKR, Gill started opening the batting for KKR in IPL 2020. That was when he was at his most productive for the franchise. However, KKR made the mistake of releasing him ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. He then went on to play for Gujarat Titans (GT) and the rest is history.
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I Can Open Now - Dinesh Karthik Recalls Shubman Gill's Demand To Open
Dinesh Karthik, in his recent conversation with Sky Sports, spoke about the time when Shubman Gill went upto him and said that he wants to open.
"So one day he walked up to me and said, 'DK bhai, I think it's time I can open now.' You know, you're the captain, if somebody comes in, do you think there's an option to open? That would be a nicer question. He said, 'It's time. I think I'll open." So he's a young lad. He came and said straight up" DK recalled.
The former KKR skipper admitted that he was taken aback by Shubman Gill's demand back then.
"I was a bit taken aback. I didn't see that coming because we've had interactions, always very respectful. He's coming from a small village. He and his dad used to practise a lot in those areas. They used to have a cement wicket, that's how he grew up playing with him. For me, it was a bit of a revelation, a young boy coming and saying, 'I think I'm ready. Now you can send me" Karthik added.
The former Indian keeper-batter then went on to say that he asked Gill to wait for a few more games for his opportunity, to which Gill replied saying that he wanted to take the opportunity when it comes.
"I told him, give me a couple of games because the guy who's there, we need to probably wait for him to fail a little more, because I need to back him as well. He said, 'Okay, when it comes, please make sure it's me because I'm ready" Karthik said further.
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Shubman Gill Leading Gujarat Titans Since 2024
Shubman Gill has played eight seasons in the IPL. He has been playing for GT since 2022 and is already their leading run-getter. He also won the IPL with the franchise in 2022 and was announced their new skipper in IPL 2024 when Hardik Pandya moved to Mumbai Indians.
