Shubman Gill, one of India’s most promising young batters, was recently seen shadow batting with an MRF-sponsored bat ahead of the semi-final clash of the Champions Trophy 2025. This unusual sight puzzled fans, as Gill is traditionally associated with CEAT tyres, having signed a ₹1.8 crore sponsorship deal in his early years.
India faced Australia in the first semi-final of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with Australia opting to bat first. However, before the high-stakes match began, Gill’s choice of bat became a major talking point among cricket enthusiasts.
Gill Practices with Kohli’s MRF Bat
Gill’s use of an MRF bat has led to speculation that he may be following in the footsteps of his idol, Virat Kohli. Fans believe the bat in his hand belonged to Kohli, who has been associated with the MRF brand for years. Given MRF’s history of endorsing cricketing greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli, and AB de Villiers, Gill’s latest appearance with the bat has fueled rumors that he could be the next high-profile player to sign with the brand.
Although there is no official confirmation about a new endorsement deal, the images of Gill using an MRF bat have created excitement among fans and raised questions about a potential sponsorship shift in the near future.
Rohit Sharma’s Unwanted Record
In an unfortunate turn of events, Indian captain Rohit Sharma continued his losing streak with the toss. Ahead of the crucial semi-final against Australia, Rohit lost his 11th consecutive toss, setting an undesirable record. Australia’s stand-in skipper, Steve Smith, won the toss and chose to bat first without hesitation.
Despite the toss setback, India stuck to their winning combination, making no changes to their playing XI. The team opted for a spin-heavy attack, fielding four spinners in their lineup. As the match unfolded, all eyes remained on Gill’s bat choice and whether it signaled a future endorsement shift.
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