Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill delivered a powerful message after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025, underlining the weight of expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top sides.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after receiving the honour at the BCCI’s Naman Awards, Gill highlighted the collective effort behind India’s rise as a dominant force, while stressing that their reputation as favourites has been hard-earned.“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” Gill said.
The 26-year-old also reflected on the significance of joining an elite list of past winners, calling the recognition deeply special.“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country… and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” he added.Shubman Gill credits Gambhir and support staffGill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and the wider support staff, including the Centre of Excellence, for shaping the team’s fearless approach.Reflecting on the past year, Gill termed it an “amazing journey,” pointing to India’s resilience during the England series. “Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match… it’s been a truly great year,” he said, also referencing strong outings in the West Indies and the Asia Cup.Looking ahead, Gill acknowledged the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with crucial series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia set to define India’s World Test Championship hopes.“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.Despite the accolades, Gill downplayed discussions around legacy, focusing instead on team identity. “We want to be looked upon… as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character,” he noted.
