India's Asia Cup campaign will be underway tonight and all eyes are on their opening pair. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from T20Is after last year's World Cup win, the onus is now on to the next generation.
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma - childhood friends and long-time batting partners, are now at the center of attention as they prepare to walk out together in India's group game against UAE. Their bond - built since U-14 cricket for Punjab, is being revisited ahead of their latest challenge.
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Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma's journey from Punjab to India's opening slot
Former Punjab cricketer Arun Bedi - who coached the duo in their teenage years, recalls them as a perfect contrast: "Ek shaant hai and dusra shaitaan (One is shy, the other is mischievous)," he told TimesofIndia.com.
Bedi first saw them in the Dhruv Pandove Trophy for U-14s where Abhishek was captain and Gill the vice-captain. Punjab won the tournament with the pair playing decisive roles.
Bedi fondly remembers a game against Himachal Pradesh where the team looked set for defeat until Gill and Abhishek inspired a turnaround. Their fearless attitude - even at 12 and 13 years of age, left him convinced they would one day represent India.
"'Sir, how can we lose?'” Bedi remembered the boys asking him after Tea on the final day. "First over after Tea, Abhishek took a wicket and suddenly the energy changed. These two fired up the whole team."
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Their connection extended beyond the field. Abhishek often borrowed Gill's bat, including during his maiden T20I century in Zimbabwe in 2024.
Gill once revealed they even had a fight over it during U-16 cricket but the superstition remained: whenever Abhishek used Gill's bat, he scored heavily.
"Whenever I need runs, I ask for his bat," Abhishek had admitted after his century in Zimbabwe.
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Another ritual was their shared love for pizza. Gill has admitted that before every U-16 and U-19 game, they would indulge in a slice, joking that it was their "run-scoring mantra."
What it means for India at Asia Cup 2025
Now, years later, the "Shaant" and "Shaitan" pairing has matured into India's new opening pair in T20Is. With the Asia Cup providing both a test and a platform, their understanding and chemistry could prove vital for India's campaign.
The journey from Punjab's junior tournaments to representing India together on the continental stage reflects their growth but also highlights why the cricketing fraternity sees them as the future of Indian batting.
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