Shubman Gill Enters His Creative Zone

He's only 26, but the Indian cricket captain has an unmatched sense of aesthetics—which is driving all of his choices.

- CHE KURRIEN

“Chandigarh is India’s best city,” declares Shubman Gill, then breaks into a deep-dimpled smile. “It’s our only planned one, so people are mostly chilled out here,” he says, looking perfectly moisturised while seated on the terrace of his expansive townhouse a few days before the Indian Premier League kicks off. India’s 26-year-old Test and ODI cricket captain is a world-class aesthete, possessing an innate affinity for design, art and fashion. Apart from the native pride he feels for his Corbusier-conceived hometown, Gill has been drawn towards Paris, a city he has kept returning to for rest and recreation. And it’s not just for its artistic riches and bounty, but also the quality of life Paris affords ordinary citizens. “I’ve noticed that Parisians allow themselves to enjoy the smaller things in life, the details, the little moments. They’re happy sipping coffee on the street, watching the city play out before them. I love the vibe. There’s hustle and bustle, but also a sense of calm and peace. Paris is a great mixture of art, culture and freedom.”

Freedom of that kind is hard to come by for Gill, one of India’s most recognised individuals. His every move and expression is tracked and scrutinised on social platforms, and it’s impossible for him to move around the country without getting mobbed or papped. There’s zero privacy in public spaces, and he’s always cocooned by bodyguards and a personal entourage. Yet he sees his fame as a privilege, not an encumbrance. “There are pros and cons to everything, but I’m overwhelmingly grateful for all the love and support I get from fans. I like to keep my personal circle very small, and within my circle, I’m not the most famous person. I have friends in that group who are more famous. They keep me in check, and humble.”