Angry young man Shubman Gill shows glimpse of future avatar in IPL 2025

The Gujarat Titans—and Indian cricket fans—witnessed a never-before-seen avatar of Shubman Gill in the Indian Premier League on Friday. Playing against SunRisers Hyderabad, the usually calm and composed GT captain lost his cool multiple times and was seen in heated exchanges with match officials.

Known for his soft-spoken nature and 'chill' demeanour, the 25-year-old revealed flashes of a fiery competitor—perhaps offering a glimpse into the passionate, take-no-nonsense leader he could become if he captains India in the future.

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What Angered Shubman Gill?

Gill didn't lash out without reason. His frustration was rooted in two key moments during the match.

The first incident occurred when he was controversially dismissed on the final ball of the 13th over in GT’s home clash against SRH at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Gill was found short of his crease at the striker’s end following a sharp throw from Harshal Patel. While it was clear that he hadn't made his ground, the controversy arose over whether wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen had legally dislodged the bails—with the ball in hand.

TV umpire Michael Gough reviewed the footage from multiple angles. One replay showed Klaasen flicking the ball out of his gloves just before the stumps were broken. From the head-on view, it was unclear whether the stumps were dislodged by the ball or by Klaasen's gloves. Despite the ambiguity and a hint of uncertainty in his body language, Gough ruled Gill out.

What's your take? ?????#ShubmanGill seen having a word with the umpire after being given out by the third umpire on a tight call! ??

Watch the LIVE action ? https://t.co/RucOdyBVUf#IPLonJioStar ?? #GTvSRH | LIVE NOW on SS-1, SS- 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/TPiALXJu8O— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 2, 2025

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Gill remained composed during the review but lost his cool soon after. He approached the match official outside the boundary, presumably demanding an explanation for what he felt was an unfair decision.

The second incident was a lighter, albeit still animated, exchange. In the second innings, Gill had a spirited argument with the on-field umpire over an LBW appeal against his close friend and SRH opener, Abhishek Sharma. The disagreement was about the pitching of the ball, which showed ‘umpire’s call’ on the leg side.

Gill grew animated enough that Abhishek had to physically step in and pull him away from the umpire. Moments later, in a light-hearted moment, Gill playfully kicked Abhishek’s legs—clearly still stewing but able to laugh it off.

Chaos at the centre! ??#ShubmanGill and #AbhishekSharma in discussion with the umpires!

A review going #SRH’s way has sparked some serious drama! ??

Watch the LIVE action ? https://t.co/RucOdyBo4H#IPLonJioStar ?? #GTvSRH | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, & pic.twitter.com/KX68eec2ZB— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 2, 2025

The episode prompted GT coach Ashish Nehra to temporarily pull Gill back into the dugout, likely to prevent any further escalation. After all, post-match penalties for dissent are real, and GT could ill-afford to lose their captain to suspension over a moment of on-field frustration.

Bound to Be Emotions

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Shubman Gill has led from the front this season. After a disappointing IPL 2024, he has turned things around for GT, guiding the team to a strong position in the points table. His form with the bat has been consistent—reliable, even. GT have had at least one of their top three score a fifty in every match, and Gill himself has amassed 465 runs at a strike rate of 162 in 10 games.

Speaking after the match, Gill acknowledged the emotional intensity he felt during the game.

"There was a little bit of a discussion with me and the umpire. Sometimes, there are so many emotions involved as you give your 110 percent—there are bound to be some," he said.

And perhaps, that’s exactly what fans want—a leader who not only performs but cares deeply. A captain who is invested enough to feel the pressure, channel it, and still deliver.

The Future King?

On May 2, Shubman Gill showed us that he's not just a technically gifted batter anymore—he’s evolving. The fire in his belly, the leadership instinct, and the readiness to fight for his team revealed a new side of him. Once hailed as Indian cricket’s 'prince,' Gill showed signs that he's ready to ascend to the throne.

When the era of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli winds down, India may just find itself in the hands of a passionate, expressive, and battle-hardened leader. And Friday night might have been the first real look at that future.

Published By: alan john Published On: May 3, 2025

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