Gill and his father may have shifted to Mohali when he was just seven but the cricketer has not forgotten about the village. A small distance away from the Gills’ is the Jaimal Wala Academy. Gill had donated `3.5  lakh which was used to build the nets and buy equipment. “We have about 15-20 students and there are more new admissions coming,” says Gurpreet Singh, who runs the academy. “Construction of practice nets completed on Friday. Whenever Lakhwinder chacha visits, he spends time with the kids and guides them in training,” he adds.

Meanwhile, the Fazilka District Cricket Association secretary Surinder Chindi, too, cannot hide his happiness. They are building a new stadium to honour Shubman in Bahmani Wala village. “Since Shubman came up, a lot of academies have come into the area. More than 100 children gather every evening to play, both boys and girls. The ground construction is just starting. Soon, grass will be laid,” says Chindi. “We had screenings for the Champions Trophy when Shubman played. For someone to be born here and go and play for India, it doesn’t happen easily,” he adds.

Expect another screening and celebration come Friday when Shubman leads Indian cricket into a new era in England.