Who was Amanpreet Gill? Virat Kohli's former teammate, who died at 36

Amanpreet Singh Gill and Virat Kohli (Pic: X)

Former Punjab cricket player Amanpreet Singh Gill passed away on Wednesday, May 6, at the age of 36, shocking the cricket community.

Amanpreet Singh Gill was a dynamic and dedicated fast bowler who represented Punjab in domestic cricket. Alongside players like Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey, he played for India in the 2007 Under-19 Tri-Series in Sri Lanka, taking nine wickets in the competition, including a match-winning effort against Bangladesh in the final.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli posted about Amanpreet's untimely dead on his X account.

"Shocked and saddened to hear about Amanpreet Gill's passing. Sending prayers and strength to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace. Om Shanti."

Following the news of his demise, former India star Yuvraj Singh shared a tribute on X.

"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill's passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace. Om Shanti"

Who was Amanpreet Singh Gill?

Born on September 16, 1989, in Chandigarh, Amanpreet Singh Gill emerged as a versatile right-arm medium pacer and capable right-handed batter. He developed his craft within Punjab's rigorous age group and domestic systems, rising through the ranks during an era when the domestic state cricket was a stepping stone for national-level talent.

The pinnacle of Gill's early career arrived on the international stage with the India Under-19 team. Competing alongside future stars like Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, and Saurabh Tiwary, Gill proved to be a vital player in the national youth setup. During the 2007 Tri-Series in Sri Lanka, he spearheaded the bowling attack with remarkable efficiency, taking nine wickets in just five innings at a brilliant average of 9.44, including figures of 2 for 14 in the final in Colombo.

At the senior level, Gill transitioned into Punjab's first-class squad, serving as a dependable mainstay of the state's pace attack during the late 2000s. While his first-class career spanned six matches, he proved his effectiveness by claiming 11 wickets, highlighted by a notable personal best of 4 for 72.

Gill's talent also earned him a place within the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) organisation during the inaugural years of the IPL. Although he remained on the fringes of the starting XI, his role within the franchise allowed him to integrate into an elite high-performance environment.

Punjab Kings players also wore black armbands during their IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as a mark of respect following Gill's death.