Shubman Gill’s village proud and excited as cricket fever spreads

The tiny village of Chak Kherewala, near the India-Pakistan border, is bursting with pride and excitement after Shubman Gill was named India’s new Test captain. This close-knit farming community, about 16 km from the border, has seen a remarkable change in attitude toward cricket, thanks to their local hero.

A village transformed by Shubman Gill’s success

In Chak Kherewala, the name Shubman Gill means more than just a star cricketer; he’s a symbol of hope and ambition. The village sarpanch, Ranga Ram, proudly says, “This place will now be known as India Test captain’s village.” The Gill family owns over 60 acres here, and although Shubman moved to Mohali years ago to access better cricket facilities, his roots remain firmly planted in this farmland.

Cricket now a dream for village kids

Before Shubman’s rise, many parents hesitated to encourage cricket due to a lack of facilities and opportunities. Now, the excitement is palpable. Surinder Chhindi, secretary of the Fazilka District Cricket Association, shares, “Since Shubman made headlines, we’ve seen more parents encouraging their kids to play cricket. The new stadium being built near the village will only boost this passion.”

The Fazilka Cricket Association is building a stadium in honor of Shubman in the nearby village of Bahmani Wala, supported by the village panchayat, which has even allocated extra land for cricket development.

A family sacrifice that changed everything

Shubman’s journey wasn’t easy. His family sacrificed their simple village life to support his cricket dreams. His grandfather recalls moving during India-Pakistan wars but returning to care for the farmland while Shubman’s father shifted the family to Mohali for better training. His aunt Gurpreet Sandhu reflects, “People taunted them for going so far, but seeing Shubman lead India is the proudest moment for the family.”

A hero’s welcome awaits

Though Shubman visits less often, every trip home sparks celebrations. Gurpreet says, “He loves spending time in the village, and this time he’ll proudly show our parents his captain’s blazer.” The entire Cricket Army stands with this inspiring story of a boy from a small border village becoming India’s Test captain, fueling dreams and hope for many others.

For more about inspiring cricket journeys, visit ICC’s official site.