Shubman Gill's father had a great time watching him bat against KXIP
Shubman Gill had a fantastic homecoming at Mohali as his unbeaten 65 off 49 balls helped Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets and stay afloat in IPL 2019. And, nobody enjoyed it more than his father, who had a night to remember in the VIP box at the PCA Stadium.
Cheering and dancing at every run his son scored, Lakhwinder Singh had a ball on Friday and the cameras just couldn't shy away from a happy parent.
As KKR beat Punjab, team owner Shah Rukh Khan tweeted to congratulate his side but had a special mention reserved for Papa Gill.
"Well done @KKRiders & @DineshKarthik . All played like u should…by backing urselves. @lynny50 #SWarrier @RealShubmanGill good job. But tonite belongs to Papa! 3 cheers for proud papa & family," tweeted Shah Rukh.
Well done @KKRiders & @DineshKarthik . All played like u should…by backing urselves. @lynny50 #SWarrier @RealShubmanGill good job. But tonite belongs to Papa! 3 cheers for proud papa & family. pic.twitter.com/KDlvVWmnYT
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 3, 2019
The family which also included Shubman's mother then got together in the field and Shubman, who didn't notice his father during the game, asked him about his 'wild' celebrations.
"People are telling me that you had a wild celebration after I reached my half-century?" Shubman asked his father in an interview posted by iplt20.com
"I'm very happy that you played so well on your home ground. I danced after your fifty, did the bhangra," Shubman's father replied proudly.
Thank you @iamsrk sir! 🙏🏻 Papa definitely stole the show 😁 #blessed https://t.co/CkRoNyKzK7
— Shubman Gill (@RealShubmanGill) May 4, 2019
Even the 19-year-old was happy to perform in front of his home crowd.
"It feels great, my first Man of the Match award at my home ground. It can't get better than this," said Gill in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Even some relatives from my village came to watch so it's great to play in front of everyone," added the right-handed batsman.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik was also all praise for the youngster, who hit his fourth fifty in five innings as an opener for Kolkata.
"It's fair that we have given Gill a chance at the top of the order, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands," said Karthik in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Breaking into Bhangra 🕺 at the IS Bindra Stadium stands was their way of conveying how overjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Gill were after @RealShubmanGill raced the chase for @KKRiders on Friday! By @tanmoym. #KXIPvKKR
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2019
WATCH the full video - https://t.co/mKyalB4e5v pic.twitter.com/5cKVZhNEib
Gill, who opened the batting with Chris Lynn, remained unbeaten on 65 as Kolkata chased down 184 to win against Punjab. Gill's innings was laced with five fours and two sixes.