Shubman Gill honored with Polly Umrigar Award, reflects on India’s Test ambitions
NEW DELHI — India’s Test captain Shubman Gill said it was “amazing” to be recognized among cricketing greats after being named the 2025 winner of the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) at the BCCI’s Naman Awards.
Gill said the recognition carries special meaning given the legacy of players who have previously received the honor.
“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country in a sport that I’ve spent my entire life playing, and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” Gill said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Reflecting on the past year, Gill pointed to India’s resilience in key series, including a comeback in England where the team rallied to secure a draw after a difficult start.
“I think it’s been an amazing journey so far. Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match, and even after that, playing in the West Indies and the Asia Cup it’s been a truly great year,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gill emphasized the importance of upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia, which will be crucial for India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. India currently sits sixth in the standings with four wins and a draw from nine matches.
“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.
Gill credited the team’s support staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and the broader coaching group, for helping shape India into one of the most competitive sides in international cricket.
“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” he said.
The 26-year-old also acknowledged the role of the BCCI leadership, including former secretary Jay Shah, in providing facilities and infrastructure that support player development.
“The support that we have got from the BCCI, especially Jay bhai and all the office bearers, has been great. The initiatives they’ve taken to take our cricket forward have really helped us immensely. Even when I got injured, the training, practice and facilities played a huge role in performance,” Gill said.
Despite the accolade, Gill downplayed discussions around personal legacy, focusing instead on building a strong team identity in Test cricket.
“I don’t really focus on legacy that much, but we want to be looked upon, especially in red-ball cricket, as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character in all players,” he said.
Gill’s standout performances in India’s five-Test series in England were central to his selection for the award. He scored 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries and a highest score of 269. Overall, he finished 2025 as the leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 983 runs in nine matches at an average of 70.21. (Source: IANS)
