Shubman Gill, the current vice-captain of India's T20I cricket team, recently shared insights into the challenges he faced during his early cricketing journey, revealing a period when he was "kicked out" of an academy due to a disagreement between his father and the coach. This incident led to a rigorous and unconventional training schedule orchestrated by his father, Lakhwinder Singh, which Gill now credits as a crucial foundation for his success.

Gill recounted that his father had a "falling out" with the academy coach, resulting in their expulsion from the public academy. The academy's regular sessions ran from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Undeterred, Gill's father devised a new training regime that required the young cricketer to wake up at 3:00 AM to practice from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM, before attending school. After a half day at school, Gill would return to practice from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. This demanding schedule continued for a couple of years.

Reflecting on this period, Gill admitted that waking up at 3:00 AM every day was challenging for a young child. Despite the difficulty, he expressed gratitude for his father's unwavering support and the discipline instilled during those early morning sessions. "I don't have any bad memories or anything like that, but this phase was a little challenging, waking up at 3:00 every day in the morning. Sometimes, as a kid, you just don't want to wake up. But I'm very grateful that my dad kept me pushing through it," Gill stated.

Gill's father played a pivotal role in nurturing his son's talent from a very young age. Gill recalls holding a cricket bat for the first time at the age of three, emulating the players he watched on television with his father. Recognizing his son's passion and potential, Gill's father arranged for him to practice on their family farm in Punjab, where he would invite farm workers to bowl at the young Gill, even offering them rewards for taking his wicket.

At the age of seven, Gill's father made the decision to move the family to Chandigarh to provide his son with access to better cricket facilities and opportunities. Gill acknowledges his father as his "first coach" and "first inspiration," emphasizing that he wouldn't be where he is today without his father's sacrifices and belief in him.

Beyond the early morning training sessions, Gill also recounted a pivotal moment at the age of 11 that solidified his commitment to cricket. During an under-23 fast bowlers' camp, where Gill was significantly younger than the other participants, he was given an opportunity to bat when the team was a player short. Despite initial reservations due to his age, Gill impressed everyone by scoring an unbeaten 90-something, batting way down the order.

Shubman Gill's journey exemplifies the dedication and sacrifices required to succeed in professional cricket. From being "kicked out" of an academy to becoming a key player in the Indian national team and the youngest man to lead India in Tests, his story is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the unwavering support of his father.