India’s T20I team vice-captain, Shubman Gill, showcased impressive batting in the Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), scoring an unbeaten 20 runs in just 9 balls. India won the match by 9 wickets. Gill excels not only on the field but also off it. He is known for keeping his promises. He made a commitment to his childhood friend and fulfilled it by taking the juice seller’s son with him to Dubai. The juice seller’s son, Avinash Kumar, is a childhood friend of Shubman Gill.
How Gill and Avinash Met
Shubman Gill, along with his father Lakhwinder Gill, used to visit the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali for practice. Ramvilas Shah, a resident of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh, ran a juice stall at Gate No. 1 of the stadium. Gill and his father would regularly visit for fresh juice. Ramvilas’s son, Avinash Kumar, was a fast bowler who practiced in the ground behind the Mohali stadium.
In 2014, Lakhwinder Gill noticed Avinash selling juice. During an interview, Avinash mentioned that Shubman Gill’s father asked him why he was selling juice. Avinash replied, “I have quit cricket. I am working in a photo studio. I am here today because my father is not well.” Lakhwinder Gill expressed disapproval, stating that cricket could change his family’s life. A week later, he showed Avinash a video of a side-arm thrower and asked him to start practicing.
Avinash’s Life Transformed
Avinash shared that he started practicing side-arm throwing on Shubman Gill’s father’s advice. During this time, his friendship with Shubman Gill blossomed. Avinash proudly says, “I knew him from the academy, but now I have become his personal side-arm thrower. That was the day, and this is the day. We are together.”
Avinash says that he used to earn around 150 to 200 rupees daily, but he never took a single penny from Shubman or his father because they were his mentors. They would give him gifts on festivals like Holi and Diwali, and they also helped his family in times of need. He will always be grateful to them.
Avinash Became a Side-Arm Thrower for the Punjab Team in 2019
In 2019, Avinash became a side-arm thrower for the Punjab Ranji team, and senior players like Mandeep Singh and Gurkeerat Mann immediately liked him. Furthermore, he developed good relationships with young players like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Anmolpreet Singh. In 2024, Shubman Gill became the captain of Gujarat Super Titans.
Avinash said, “Yaar, now you have become captain, take me to IPL too.” Shubman’s assuring words gave him hope. He told him that he need not worry.
Gill Kept His Promise
Avinash said during an interview that earlier this year, he was playing with his son in Chandigarh. That’s when he received a call from Shubman. Shubman told him to pack his bags because he would soon receive a call from the Gujarat Titans management. He gifted him spikes, clothes, and a mobile, but it was something else, it was priceless.
Before IPL 2025, Shubman’s focus was on the five-match Test series against England. Along with his guru and childhood friend Khushpreet Singh Aulakh, he also needed someone who could challenge him with the red ball.
Shubman Gill Found a True Friend
Avinash said that it was KP Paji’s idea. He asked Shubman to start practicing with the red ball during the IPL. When he joined the Gujarat Titans, Shubman asked him to bowl in the nets with the red ball. He started doing so. This helped Shubman Gill a lot in England.
Meeting Shubman at his father’s stall was a blessing for Avinash. He now considers Gill his family. At that stall, Shubman not only found juice but also a true friend and confidant.