Despite a recent setback with his omission from the T20 World Cup squad, Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has garnered high praise from an unexpected corner: Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. The former England defender met Gill in Paris on Monday, February 9th, where they watched Manchester United's victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Ferdinand later shared his admiration for the young cricketer in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Gill's absence from the T20 World Cup squad has been a talking point among cricket fans, especially considering his performance in the previous IPL season. Despite scoring 650 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.88 for the Gujarat Titans, Gill’s T20 form was deemed insufficient for selection. He was also replaced as vice-captain by Axar Patel.

Ferdinand, however, focused on Gill's character and mindset. He noted Gill's "curious mind" and remarkable humility, especially given his achievements at a young age in the cricket world. "I meet a lot of sports stars on my travels, but not many have shown me their curious mind so quickly, like Shubman," Ferdinand wrote on Instagram. He described how Gill asked detailed questions about his football journey, leadership, and relationships, seeking to draw parallels applicable to cricket. Ferdinand was impressed by Gill's desire for self-improvement, noting, "...for someone so young to quickly set about probing, questioning, exploring different things with the only aim being - to better himself".

Ferdinand further emphasized Gill's grounded nature, stating that he "exudes humility on a level that you would normally associate with a guy on the come up with not much achieved". This humility, combined with his obvious talent, has clearly left a strong impression on the former footballer.

The meeting has also inspired Ferdinand to visit India in the near future. "I've been inspired to come to India again...this time I will be there in the not too distant future...India, watch this space!!!" he added.

While Gill may be absent from the T20 World Cup, he will be leading the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, which starts on March 26. As he prepares for the tournament, the praise from a sporting legend like Rio Ferdinand will undoubtedly serve as a source of motivation.