Abhishek Sharma recently shared a lighthearted anecdote about his long-time friendship with fellow cricketer Shubman Gill, revealing a mischievous side to Gill's personality that many fans might not be aware of. Sharma and Gill have known each other since their U-14 days in Punjab, forging a strong bond through years of playing cricket together.
The story, which has gained popularity among fans, offers a glimpse into their early days. According to Sharma, the incident occurred during a match when the team needed to identify who was responsible for a minor, unspecified mishap. In a playful attempt to deflect blame, Gill allegedly made an "innocent face" and pointed towards his teammate. Sharma laughingly recounted how Gill tried to get the drivers to identify the culprit, showcasing his mischievous nature.
Beyond this anecdote, their camaraderie extends to on-field partnerships. During the Asia Cup 2025, Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, revealed an instance where Sharma playfully disregarded Gill's advice during a Super Four game against Bangladesh. Gill had cautioned Sharma to be careful and avoid unnecessary risks with Nasum Ahmed bowling and India already having scored 15 runs in the over. Sharma seemingly agreed but then proceeded to hit a six off the last ball, showcasing his confidence and aggressive style.
Their connection is also evident in their understanding of each other's game. Sharma's fondness for Gill's bats is well-known, with Sharma even using Gill's bat to score his maiden T20I century in Zimbabwe in 2024. Gill once mentioned a disagreement they had when Sharma was batting well with his bat, and Gill, concerned about it breaking, asked for it back, leading to a minor squabble. Despite this, Gill has always lent his bat to Sharma, acknowledging his teammate's success with it.
Recently, a video circulated on social media showing Sharma and Gill celebrating India's Asia Cup victory inside Sharma's new car, which he received as the Player of the Tournament award. The two cricketers were seen taking selfies and enjoying the moment, highlighting their close friendship and shared success.
Former Punjab cricketer Arun Bedi, who coached Gill and Sharma during their U-14 days, described Gill as "shaant" (shy) and Sharma as "shaitaan" (naughty), perfectly capturing their contrasting personalities. Bedi recalled an incident during a U-14 tournament where Gill and Sharma demonstrated their strategic thinking at a young age, leading their team to victory. Bedi recognized their potential early on, predicting that they would both play for India one day.
