‘I know Shubman Gill since childhood’ - UAE cricketer reveals surprising connection with India star

United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricketer Simranjeet Singh recently took a moment to reflect on his roots. The left-arm spinner from Ludhiana vividly recalls bowling to a young Shubman Gill more than a decade ago at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) nets in Mohali.

The 35-year-old was once a regular in Punjab’s district cricket and even made the Ranji Trophy probables in 2017. He also bowled at the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) nets. However, a major breakthrough never came his way, and the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately altered his cricketing journey.

“I have known Shubman since he was a kid, but I don’t know if he remembers me. It was around 2011-12. He must have been 11 or 12 at the time. We trained at the PCA Academy from 6am to 11am and Shubman would arrive with his father right after. I often stayed back for extra bowling, and that’s when I bowled a lot to him,” said Simranjeet as quoted by India Today.

“I came to Dubai in April 2021 for about 20 days of practice, but when the second wave hit India, I couldn’t return. I ended up staying back,” he added.

Simranjeet began coaching juniors in Dubai while playing club cricket to support himself. He completed the required three domestic seasons to qualify for the UAE and reached out to national coach Lalchand Rajput. Now, he is set to feature in the Asia Cup 2025 for his adopted home, the UAE. Coach Rajput has praised the cricketer's ability to generate flight on the ball and take wickets at will.

“Not every left-arm spinner in T20Is has the heart to give the ball air and flight it consistently. Simran knows how to buy wickets with flight,” said Rajput.

In 12 T20Is, Simranjeet has taken 15 wickets at an economy rate of under 6.00. In his most recent game, he returned figures of 1/24 against Afghanistan. He also admitted that the UAE dressing room has given him the freedom to practice his faith and shared whom his family will be supporting in the upcoming continental tournament.

“This is a great country. No one has ever questioned my beard, kara or kirpan. That’s a tough one. The dream was to play for India, but now that I’m playing for UAE, I think they’ll support UAE,” said Simranjeet.