Shubman Gill has emerged as the most prolific young batter in the country. He is already touted as the heir apparent to the ageing Virat Kohli. At 25, Gill is an indispensable member of the Test and ODI team, and currently leads Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Although Gill's ongoing tour to Australia has been a bit underwhelming, there's no doubt about his talent and potential. Gill has already acquired a cult fandom, thanks to his dashing style and muscular build, and his videos of gym sessions often garner millions of views. The right-handed batter understands the importance of fitness in achieving peak performance. We look at how Gill maintains his solid physique.
Shubman Gill's Workout Routine
Gone are the days when cricketers can ignore fitness and still build a great career for themselves. Without athleticism, it's hard to make a living in the upper echelon of the game. As an Indian cricketer, Gill has access to some of the best trainers in the world. When he's on the tour, he works under the tutelage of the BCCI's revered strength and conditioning team. But the off-season is not a time to rest up on a laurel. He spends time with Chandigarh-based physical trainer Sagar Diwan. The Indian cricketer has been working with Diwan since his U-19 days, and the results are there for everyone to see.
Gill works out for five days a week, and each session lasts up to two hours. His fitness routine is tailored to enhance his agility and endurance, and also increase his muscular power since he also plays the shortest format of the game.
Barbell squats, Deadlifts, Bench presses, Overhead presses, Pull-ups, Dips, and Lunges are some of the common workouts in his routine. When Gill came to international cricket, he had a lithe body and he was unable to generate much power for his shots. But the strength and conditioning exercises have now enhanced his physical prowess. Three times a week his routine is focussed on weight training, where he would lift weights to be in shape. Outside the gym, Gill's routine includes cardiovascular exercises like swimming and running.
Diwan, in an interview with GQ India, stated, "We emphasise hypertrophy, with a focus on weight training three to four times a week. Shubman is an exceptionally hard-working player, always striving to exceed expectations. If you give him any task, he will make sure that he finishes the task and goes beyond it as well. His mindset has always been different, and it shows in his cricket as well."
Besides, Gill spent hours working out on his cricketing drills to improve his batting. He would play around 200-300 balls in net session to stay in a good touch, and work on his strokes.
Shubman Gill's Diet Plans
Having a great workout schedule is only half of the job. Gill, like any elite athlete, is very mindful of what's going inside his system. Gill's diet is rich in protein to repair muscle growth and recovery. His breakfast would consist of eggs, oatmeal, and tropical fruits like avocado.
Gill makes sure to have a light but fulfilling breakfast since he has to undergo intense training drills soon after. Gill's lunch is full of seafood, and chicken breasts, and his chapati is made of gluten-free flour. Dinner mostly consists of lamb, chicken soup, with a generous sprinkling of leafy vegetables.
