Shubman Gill enjoys Man United's win over Spurs during India's T20 World Cup opener
India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill was spotted in Paris watching Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-0 while his T20 teammates scraped past the USA in their World Cup opener at Mumbai's Wankhede.
While India defended their T20 World Cup title with a nervy victory over the USA in Mumbai, their Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, was 4,000 miles away in Paris—watching Manchester United dismantle Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand shared a photo on X with Gill, revealing the Indian star was ringside for the Red Devils' 2-0 victory. The timing raised eyebrows: United's match kicked off just an hour before India's World Cup opener at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving fans puzzled about why one of the country's premier batsmen was watching football instead of supporting his teammates.
WHY IS SHUBMAN GILL NOT PLAYING FOR INDIA?
For those wondering why India's Test and ODI captain wasn't involved in the T20 World Cup, the answer lies in form and selection priorities.
Despite captaining India across all three formats since his appointment in May 2025, Gill has struggled in T20 cricket recently. A lean patch during the Asia Cup and the T20I series against South Africa prompted selectors to look elsewhere. The aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan got the nod instead, offering India the explosive starts they need in the shortest format.
It's a pragmatic decision that highlights India's depth—even established stars must earn their place in a competitive squad.
HOW DID INDIA FARE AGAINST THE USA IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026?
India's title defence got off to a shaky start before captain Suryakumar Yadav's heroics salvaged a 29-run victory over the United States at a packed Wankhede Stadium.
The defending champions suffered a stunning collapse, slumping to 77-6 in the 13th over as South Africa-born seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk ripped through the vaunted Indian batting lineup with figures of 4-25. What seemed like a potential disaster turned into a masterclass as Suryakumar produced an unbeaten 84 off just 49 balls—his innings laced with 10 fours and four sixes showcasing the counter-attacking brilliance that makes him one of T20 cricket's most dangerous batsmen.
His efforts pushed India to 161-9, a total that proved just enough. USA's chase never gained momentum after Mohammed Siraj—filling in for the indisposed Jasprit Bumrah—reduced them to 13-3 with menacing new-ball bowling that yielded 3-29. Despite spirited contributions from
Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37), and Shubham Ranjane (37), India's spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel squeezed the life out of the middle overs.
USA finished at 132-8, giving India a winning start—but the defending champions know they'll need significant improvements to retain their crown.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MANCHESTER UNITED GAME
While Gill watched from Paris, Manchester United continued their remarkable resurgence under caretaker manager Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and captain Bruno Fernandes sealed United's fourth consecutive Premier League win—their first such streak in two years. The result was helped significantly by Cristian Romero's 29th-minute red card, which left Spurs battling with 10 men for over an hour.
Carrick's appointment last month, following Ruben Amorim's dismissal, has transformed United's season. The club legend has guided them to fourth place with 44 points—already surpassing last season's entire tally of 42 and reigniting Champions League qualification hopes that seemed dead just weeks ago.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Fernandes' goal marked his 200th goal involvement since joining in 2020, with the Portuguese midfielder lavishing praise on Carrick's impact.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal extended their lead to nine points with a 3-0 demolition of Sunderland, while Cole Palmer's hat-trick inspired Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over Wolves.
For Gill, it was clearly an afternoon well spent—even if Indian cricket fans might have preferred their captain-in-waiting to be closer to home.
While India defended their T20 World Cup title with a nervy victory over the USA in Mumbai, their Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, was 4,000 miles away in Paris—watching Manchester United dismantle Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand shared a photo on X with Gill, revealing the Indian star was ringside for the Red Devils' 2-0 victory. The timing raised eyebrows: United's match kicked off just an hour before India's World Cup opener at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving fans puzzled about why one of the country's premier batsmen was watching football instead of supporting his teammates.
WHY IS SHUBMAN GILL NOT PLAYING FOR INDIA?
For those wondering why India's Test and ODI captain wasn't involved in the T20 World Cup, the answer lies in form and selection priorities.
Despite captaining India across all three formats since his appointment in May 2025, Gill has struggled in T20 cricket recently. A lean patch during the Asia Cup and the T20I series against South Africa prompted selectors to look elsewhere. The aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan got the nod instead, offering India the explosive starts they need in the shortest format.
It's a pragmatic decision that highlights India's depth—even established stars must earn their place in a competitive squad.
HOW DID INDIA FARE AGAINST THE USA IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026?
India's title defence got off to a shaky start before captain Suryakumar Yadav's heroics salvaged a 29-run victory over the United States at a packed Wankhede Stadium.
The defending champions suffered a stunning collapse, slumping to 77-6 in the 13th over as South Africa-born seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk ripped through the vaunted Indian batting lineup with figures of 4-25. What seemed like a potential disaster turned into a masterclass as Suryakumar produced an unbeaten 84 off just 49 balls—his innings laced with 10 fours and four sixes showcasing the counter-attacking brilliance that makes him one of T20 cricket's most dangerous batsmen.
His efforts pushed India to 161-9, a total that proved just enough. USA's chase never gained momentum after Mohammed Siraj—filling in for the indisposed Jasprit Bumrah—reduced them to 13-3 with menacing new-ball bowling that yielded 3-29. Despite spirited contributions from
Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37), and Shubham Ranjane (37), India's spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel squeezed the life out of the middle overs.
USA finished at 132-8, giving India a winning start—but the defending champions know they'll need significant improvements to retain their crown.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MANCHESTER UNITED GAME
While Gill watched from Paris, Manchester United continued their remarkable resurgence under caretaker manager Michael Carrick with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and captain Bruno Fernandes sealed United's fourth consecutive Premier League win—their first such streak in two years. The result was helped significantly by Cristian Romero's 29th-minute red card, which left Spurs battling with 10 men for over an hour.
Carrick's appointment last month, following Ruben Amorim's dismissal, has transformed United's season. The club legend has guided them to fourth place with 44 points—already surpassing last season's entire tally of 42 and reigniting Champions League qualification hopes that seemed dead just weeks ago.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Fernandes' goal marked his 200th goal involvement since joining in 2020, with the Portuguese midfielder lavishing praise on Carrick's impact.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal extended their lead to nine points with a 3-0 demolition of Sunderland, while Cole Palmer's hat-trick inspired Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over Wolves.
For Gill, it was clearly an afternoon well spent—even if Indian cricket fans might have preferred their captain-in-waiting to be closer to home.