Shubman Gill sets record straight on dating Sara Tendulkar

Dubai: No Sara Ali Khan. No Sara Tendulkar. Not even Avneet Kaur. Shubman Gill has finally had enough of the whispers.

The 25-year-old Indian opener and Gujarat Titans captain has broken his silence on persistent dating rumours, revealing he’s been single for three years.

Gill, the heart-throb of Indian cricket, has often found himself at the centre of speculation linking him to Bollywood and cricket royalty alike. But he says his focus has remained firmly on the game.

“There have been so many rumours and speculations linking me with different people. And sometimes, it would be so ridiculous that I’ve never seen or met that person ever in my life. Right now, I’m so focused on what I need to do in my professional career. There’s no space in my life to be able to be with someone. Three hundred days, we’re on the road, travelling somewhere. So there’s hardly any time to invest in a relationship with someone,” Gill told The Hollywood Reporter India.

In the past, some fans have chanted “Sara” during matches, but Gill insists he doesn’t hear much when he’s batting.

“I don’t think any batter can hear those chants. You are so focused on the job that is there for you to finish. You’re so focused on, OK, this bowler is bowling at me, this is how much we need to score, or these are the things that I need to do,” he added. “So you don’t really hear the chants. But when you are fielding, then you can hear them — especially when you’re on the boundary or closer to the crowd.”

Appearing on Koffee with Karan Season 8, actor Sara Ali Khan was asked by host and filmmaker Karan Johar about her alleged link-up with Gill. Responding to the chants of “Sara! Sara!” when Shubman is batting, she said, “You’ve got the wrong Sara, guys! The whole world is after the wrong Sara.”

With the Indian Premier League Season 18 heading into the home stretch and gaps narrowing between the teams, it’s now time for Gill to prove his worth as a leader. The Gujarat Titans captain will be aiming to steer the 2022 champions to a second title.

Titans missed a chance to go top of the table after teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest to score the second fastest century in IPL history, denting Gujarat’s hopes. They next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on Friday in what could be a must-win clash.