India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill has come under scrutiny after fans noticed a controversial engraving on his cricket bat ahead of the upcoming five-Test series in England. The 25-year-old batter, currently in England preparing for his first assignment as captain, was seen in official photo sessions shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In the images, the word “Prince” was clearly visible alongside the MRF logo on his bat.
Fans quickly picked up on the “Prince” engraving, prompting criticism and accusations of self-aggrandizement. The nickname “Prince” has been informally associated with Gill by fans, much like “King” for Virat Kohli and “God” for Sachin Tendulkar. However, unlike Kohli and Tendulkar, neither of whom have ever endorsed these fan-given titles on their bats, Gill’s visible use of the tag has sparked debate online.
Despite the criticism, Gill remains focused on his preparations. He was recently seen facing deliveries from senior bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah during net sessions as India readies for the England Tests.
Shortly after his captaincy appointment, Gill expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the responsibility that comes with leading the team. In a video posted by the BCCI, he said, “As a young kid, when anyone starts playing cricket, they want to play for India, and not just play for India, but play Test cricket for India for a very long time. To be able to get this opportunity is a great honour. And like you said, it is a big responsibility.”
The upcoming series will mark India’s return to Test cricket following their 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in 2024-25.
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