Did Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma’s friendship begin with a Fight?

From cricketing prodigies to national stars, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have come a long way. But behind the glitz and glamour of international cricket lies a journey stitched with banter, rivalry, and a surprising little fallout over… a cricket bat.

These two rising stars, who now dazzle in the blue of India and the bright hues of the IPL, first began their ascent on the fields of Punjab’s domestic circuit. Together, they climbed the ranks to the India U-19 team, eventually lifting the 2018 World Cup in Mount Maunganui. But their bond was forged much earlier — and not without a few sparks.

The Great U-16 Bat Fight: Gill vs Abhishek

Recalling their early days, Gill shared an amusing anecdote on the Gen Bold show by JioHotstar.

“It actually started back in our U-16 days. Abhishek was batting on 80 or 90 using my match bat, and I didn’t want it to break, so I asked him to return it. We ended up having a bit of a fight over that!”

Despite the scuffle, Gill admitted he often gave Abhishek his bat, and more often than not, it brought runs in heaps. It’s a tale of teenage competitiveness that grew into mutual respect — and a friendship that’s gone the distance.

From World Cup Teens to National Heroes

Abhishek, who took a little longer to break into India’s senior side, has now firmly planted himself in the T20I setup. With 535 runs in 17 matches, two centuries, and a thunderous strike rate of 193.84, he’s already being touted as a starter for the 2026 T20 World Cup at home.

Meanwhile, Gill continues to flourish across formats and is even tipped as a potential future Test captain. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping aside from T20s, the Gill-Abhishek opening duo might just be the face of India’s new batting era.

Dynamic Duos: From Abhishek to Sudharsan

Gill has also formed a formidable IPL partnership with Sai Sudharsan this season for Gujarat Titans. The opening pair has been instrumental in taking GT to the top of the IPL 2025 table, making them the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Sudharsan leads the scoring charts with 617 runs, with Gill hot on his heels at 601.

Brothers in Arms — With or Without the Bat

That childhood bat fight might have caused a stir, but it laid the foundation for a bond that now shines on the biggest cricketing stages. Whether it’s scoring tons or exchanging playful jabs, Gill and Abhishek’s journey is a testament to friendship, growth, and shared ambition.