IND vs Eng: Shubman Gill showcases unique sticker on MRF bat ahead of first Test as India captain
, India's new Test captain, has sparked discussion among cricket fans after the appearance of "Prince" alongside "MRF Genius" on his bat sticker, a departure from previous cricket legends who carried the MRF brand without personal monikers.
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The revelation came after
released photos of Gill and the Indian team in their new kits ahead of India's upcoming tour of England, scheduled from June to August 2025, which marks the beginning of his captaincy tenure.
MRF has a long-standing tradition of partnering with cricket's elite batters, including
, Brian Lara, AB de Villiers, and
, who all carried the "Genius" sticker on their bats. The company's selection of Gill to continue this legacy was considered a significant moment in cricket history.
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"With legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Brian Lara having graced the iconic MRF bat, Shubman Gill now carries forward this tradition, inspiring the next generation of cricketers," MRF stated during their collaboration announcement before the Champions Trophy semi-final.
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In his inaugural address as captain, Gill outlined his vision for the team's preparation and approach. "Let us make each and every net session meaningful and let us prepare like that and let us put ourselves under a little bit of pressure when we are going out there.
It is not about going out there and surviving. Let us try to find out our game, how we are going to play when we are put under pressure, whether it be bowlers or batsmen.
And let is make the practise match and each and every net very meaningful and let us play every ball with purpose," he stated.
Quiz:
The appointment of Gill as Test captain and his association with MRF represents a new era in Indian cricket. His elevation to this role comes at a time when he has shown impressive performance in ODI cricket, though he is still establishing himself at the Test level.
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The series will provide Gill with his first major challenge as Test captain, leading India in one of cricket's most challenging overseas conditions. The matches will be distributed across England's premier cricket grounds, offering varied playing conditions and challenges for the new captain and his team.
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