Young cricketing sensation Shubman Gill turned heads in his very first net session with the Indian team, so much so that then-head coach Ravi Shastri reportedly declared, “Isko abhi khila do” (“Play him right away”)!
This jaw-dropping endorsement came in the presence of captain Virat Kohli and the legendary MS Dhoni, underlining just how extraordinary Gill’s talent shone from the outset.
The Nets That Stopped the World
According to former batting coach Sanjay Bangar, the scene unfolded during a 2019 practice before the ODI World Cup. He recalled:
“When we pitched it up, he’d play the drive. If it was outside off-stump, he’d cut it. If it was short, he’d pull it. Other nets stopped; only his was going. Everyone was watching—wondering who’s this kid?”
In that very moment, Gill’s mastery over shot selection and technique was so striking that Kohli admitted, “I was not even ten percent of that when I was 19.”
“Isko Abhi Khila Do” — Now This Is a Debut Like No Other
Bangar revealed that Shastri was so impressed, he wanted Gill added to the playing XI immediately:
“Coach Ravi Shastri was so impressed that he wanted to put him in the playing XI. ‘Isko abhi khila do’ … we realized then that this boy was special.”
These words captured exactly why Gill emerged so quickly in the international arena, despite showing only glimpses in his initial ODI debut (scores of 9 and 7).
First Impression Snapshot
| Aspect | Impression |
|---|---|
| Who Watched | Ravi Shastri (coach), Virat Kohli (captain), MS Dhoni (senior player) |
| Technique | Drove, cut, and pulled with grace and precision across varying deliveries |
| Atmosphere | Other nets halted in admiration—Gill’s one stood out visibly |
| Kohli’s Take | “I was not even ten percent of that when I was 19.” |
| Shastri’s Response | “Isko abhi khila do” – immediate call for inclusion in match XI |
Why This Story Matters
- Instant Recognition: A first net session rarely triggers such unanimous awe—with India’s finest (Kohli, Dhoni, Shastri) in attendance, that’s next-level validation.
- Talent That Speaks Louder Than Stats: Though Gill’s debut scores were modest, that net session foreshadowed the cricketing firepower he’d later solidify.
- A Glimpse of the Future: Today, Gill is not just a key batsman but a prominent leader—he’s risen to become India’s Test captain, with discussions ongoing about future all-format leadership.
In Summary
That first net session was more than just a warm-up—it was a turning point, capturing Gill’s shot-making brilliance and mental composure in real time. When cricket legends like Kohli are acknowledging early that a peer is world-class, you know something extraordinary is unfolding.
Gill’s journey—from one net session that halted play to becoming a captain and cornerstone of Indian cricket—is proof that sometimes, greatness announces itself with the flick of a bat.
