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Journalism of Courage
It has been 4,055 days since Mohali youngster Nirmal Singh was associated in a world record 587-run stand with then 14-year-old Shubman Gill in a match against Amritsar in the Punjab Inter-District Tournament for ML Markan Trophy played in the second week of April 2014. While Chak Kherewala (Fazilka district) born Gill played a knock of 351 runs in the match, Nirmal played a knock of 267 runs during the match and the pair broke the earlier record of 561 runs for the first wicket between Waheed Mirza and Mansoor Akhtar in the match between Karachi Whites and Quetta at National Stadium, Karachi in 1977. On Saturday, as 25-year-old Gill became the 37th Test captain for the Indian team, Singh recalls the historic day of 2014.
“It remains one of our cherished memories of our cricket career. We both were very young and when we made the world record. All we talked about was how we enjoyed batting on that particular day in the match. He would suggest things like to target which bowlers or the pitch conditions and I would also do the same for him. To see Shubman being made the Indian Test team captain is a special feeling for not only him but every one of us who was part of his journey,” says Singh, who is now a regular feature in the Mohali senior team.
Gill had batted for 277 balls to make 351 runs in the match while Singh, who hails from Bhiwani, Haryana, had played a knock of 276 runs off 335 balls. Gill hit 49 boundaries and two sixes during his knock, while Singh had smashed 35 boundaries during his stay at the wicket. Mohali had declared at a total of 681 for 8 in 142 overs against Amritsar in the match played at the MCA Academy ground outside the IS Bindra International Stadium. “I guess the wicket was rolled too well for the game, making it so good for batting. The ball was coming onto the bat and when my eyes were set I went for my shots. After I made the first 50, I started to enjoy going for my shots. Once I crossed 150, I started feeling tired but Tinkoo sir (Sukhwinder Tinkoo, chief coach of the academy) was constantly telling me to go for another 50 runs and play freely. When I crossed 300, I was very tired; in fact, the next 50 runs came only because of Nirmal’s support from the other end.” Gill had told The Indian Express in 2014.
PCA scorer Sushil Diwan acted as a scorer in Gill’s most junior-level matches, as well as Ranji Trophy matches and International matches played at Mohali. “Across the age groups, Shubman Gill performed very well, and it would be a delight for us scorers too. His father, Lakhwinder Gill, would always be there to watch him play and used to take him to every age group. It’s his passion and dedication, coupled with his father’s dedication, which has taken it to this level,” said Diwan.
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