During the recent BCCI Naman Awards in Delhi, India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and the no 1-ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, who are childhood friends, got into a funny banter. Gill and Abhishek had even opened the innings for India in the Asia Cup 2025.

The two have played together for Punjab since age-group cricket and know each other quite well, and tend to pull one another’s leg quite often. This was on display when the two got together for a short interview.

The question asked of Shubman Gill was simple: had he given Abhishek any advice before the tournament? Gill responded with the easy smile that generally indicates a pal is ready to be teased in public.

"No. 1 T20I batsman in the world ko kaun advice dega” (Who is going to advise the world’s No. 1 T20I batter?), he said, brushing the idea away and lifting Abhishek at the same time.

Then Abhishek Sharma revealed that after he got three consecutive ducks in the T20 World Cup 2026, he asked Shubman Gill for a bat.

“Maine hi message kiya tha isko 3 duck ke baad ke mujhe bat de de, isse pehle koi aur record bann jae” (I was the one who messaged him after three ducks and told him to give me his bat, otherwise some other unwanted record would have been made), Abhishek said.

Abhishek also shared Gill’s reply from that phase: “Usne bola tha, tu kar legal" (He told me, "You'll manage it").

The conversation turned to equipment, and Abhishek Sharma revealed that he liked the bats Shubman Gill uses. And when Shubman Gill was asked whether he lets Abhishek borrow his bats, the Indian captain revealed, "Woh mere bat se hi khelta hai hamesha" (He plays with my bat all the time anyway). ”.

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The short interaction showed the strong friendship and camaraderie between two of India's best young batters, given how long they have played together.