Amanpreet Singh Gill, the former India Under-19 cricketer who once shared the dressing room with a young Virat Kohli, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 36 in Chandigarh. The medium-fast bowler had represented Punjab in domestic cricket and was a part of the India U-19 squad that produced some of the biggest names in Indian cricket history. His death has shocked the cricket world — and tributes have started pouring in from players, fans, and cricket boards alike. This article covers his life, his cricket journey, the tributes he received, and why this loss feels so personal to so many people in Indian cricket.
- Amanpreet Singh Gill passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Chandigarh at just 36 years old.
- He was a medium-fast bowler who played for Punjab in domestic Indian cricket.
- Gill was a teammate of Virat Kohli in the India Under-19 squad.
- Former India star Yuvraj Singh paid a public tribute to Gill on social media.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) wore black armbands during their IPL 2025 match to honor his memory.
- The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) also formally expressed grief over his passing.
Why Amanpreet Gill's Death Matters: The Full Story Behind the Cricketer
Most cricket fans know the name Virat Kohli. But behind every great player is a team — a squad of young boys who trained together, traveled together, and dreamed together. Amanpreet Singh Gill was one of those boys. He was part of the India Under-19 group that included Kohli, and that alone tells you something about how talented he was. Getting into an India U-19 squad is not easy. Thousands of young cricketers try every year, and only the very best make it.
Gill went on to represent Punjab in domestic cricket, which means he played in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy — India's biggest domestic cricket competition. He was a medium-fast bowler, the kind of player who does the hard work with the ball, running in over after over, trying to get batsmen out. It's tough work. And he did it at a serious level. His death at just 36 — which is still very young — has left a deep wound in Punjab cricket and in the hearts of people who knew him personally.
So why does this matter beyond just cricket? Because it's a reminder that behind every player we cheer for or forget, there's a real person with a real story. And Gill's story deserved to be told much more than it has been. What exactly do we know about his life and career?
What Happened: The Full Breakdown of Amanpreet Gill's Passing
Amanpreet Singh Gill died on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Chandigarh. He was 36 years old. The cause of his death has not been officially confirmed in public statements as of now, but the news spread fast — first through cricket circles in Punjab, then across the country as tributes began coming in from well-known names in Indian cricket. The cricket community was clearly shaken.
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Amanpreet Singh Gill passed away in Chandigarh, according to multiple reports including the Deccan Chronicle and Yardbarker.
- India Under-19 Connection: Gill was a teammate of Virat Kohli during their days in the India U-19 setup — one of the most celebrated youth squads Indian cricket has ever produced.
- Punjab Cricket Career: He played domestic cricket for Punjab, operating as a medium-fast bowler. He was known for his pace and his ability to trouble batsmen with the ball.
- Yuvraj Singh's Tribute: Former India all-rounder and Punjab icon Yuvraj Singh took to social media to pay tribute to Gill, calling it a deeply sad day for Punjab cricket.
- Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Statement: The PCA formally expressed grief over Gill's passing and acknowledged his contribution to Punjab cricket over the years.
- Punjab Kings Black Armbands: During their IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the Punjab Kings (PBKS) players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Gill — a powerful and emotional gesture seen live on television across India.
Yuvraj Singh's tribute was especially meaningful. Yuvraj himself is from Punjab and has always been deeply connected to Punjab cricket. When a man of his stature takes time to grieve publicly for a domestic cricketer, it tells you how real the loss is. He didn't just post a generic message — he spoke from the heart about Gill's talent and the shock of losing someone so young, so soon.
The Punjab Kings wearing black armbands was another moment that hit hard. These are IPL players — professionals who play in front of millions of fans under bright stadium lights. But on that day, they were also carrying the grief of a cricketing family that had just lost one of its own. That image — of players wearing black armbands — was shared widely on social media and brought the story to millions of people who might not have heard of Gill before.
The Cricket Career of Amanpreet Gill: What the Stats and Story Reveal
Playing for India at any level — even Under-19 — is a massive achievement. The India U-19 squad that Gill was part of alongside Virat Kohli was a golden generation. Kohli went on to become one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen. Others from that team also had long domestic careers. Gill's journey as a medium-fast bowler for Punjab shows that he had the skill and the drive to compete at the top level of Indian domestic cricket.
Medium-fast bowling in Indian conditions is brutally hard. The pitches in India often favour spinners. So for a pace bowler to survive and thrive in domestic cricket here, you need real quality — good line, good length, the ability to swing or seam the ball, and the fitness to keep going over after over. Gill had all of that. He wasn't a superstar who got splashed across cricket news every day. But he was the kind of cricketer that every team needs — honest, hardworking, and genuinely talented.
Think of it this way. For every Kohli or Yuvraj who becomes a national hero, there are dozens of players who gave everything to cricket, played at the highest domestic level, and never quite got the spotlight they deserved. Gill was one of those players. And the fact that his U-19 teammate went on to become Virat Kohli makes the contrast even sharper — not in a sad way, but in a way that makes you appreciate how rare the very top level is, and how much talent exists just below it. Gill had that talent. He lived that life. And now he's gone at 36.
How Amanpreet Gill's Death Affects Punjab Cricket and Indian Domestic Cricket
For Punjab cricket specifically, this is a deeply personal loss. Punjab has always been a strong cricketing state — it has produced players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and many others who have worn the India blue. The PCA runs a tight ship and takes pride in its cricketers, both past and present. Losing a former player at such a young age is the kind of thing that shakes an entire cricketing community. The PCA's formal statement showed that Gill wasn't forgotten — he was still one of their own.
For Indian domestic cricket more broadly, this is a moment to think about the welfare of players who played at serious levels but never became household names. India's domestic cricket structure — the Ranji Trophy, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — involves hundreds of players every season. Many of them give years of their lives to the game. But once they retire, they often fade from public memory. Stories like Gill's remind everyone that these players matter. Their lives matter. Their health matters. And their contributions to Indian cricket deserve to be remembered.
The IPL connection also matters here. Punjab Kings, one of the original IPL franchises, chose to honor Gill publicly during a live match. That's a statement. It says that the franchise — and the broader cricket ecosystem — recognizes the people who built the foundation that today's stars stand on.
What Happens Next: How Cricket Remembers Amanpreet Gill
Right now, the cricket world is in mourning. Tributes are still coming in — from players, fans, and cricket boards. The PCA is expected to hold a formal tribute for Gill. Yuvraj Singh's social media post has already brought Gill's name to millions of people who are now learning about his life and career for the first time. That, in itself, is a kind of legacy. More details about memorial events or tributes from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may follow in the coming days, and the Gill family's wishes will shape how public those moments are.
What we can say with certainty is this — Indian cricket will not forget Amanpreet Gill quickly. Not this time. The black armbands, the social media tributes, the PCA statement — all of it has made sure that his name is known, at least for now. But the real question is what happens after the initial wave of grief passes. Does Indian cricket build a better support system for former domestic players? Does it find ways to keep them connected to the game, in coaching roles or mentorship programs? That's the conversation this loss should start. And hopefully it does. Because Gill deserved better than being forgotten. And so do the hundreds of players like him who gave everything to Indian cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amanpreet Gill
Who was Amanpreet Singh Gill and what did he play?
Amanpreet Singh Gill was a medium-fast bowler who played domestic cricket for Punjab in India. He was part of the India Under-19 squad that also included Virat Kohli. Gill represented Punjab in top domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and was respected within Punjab cricket circles throughout his career.
How did Virat Kohli know Amanpreet Singh Gill?
Virat Kohli and Amanpreet Singh Gill were teammates in the India Under-19 cricket squad. Both played together during their youth cricket days before Kohli went on to become a senior India star. Gill continued playing domestic cricket for Punjab after their time in the U-19 setup ended.
How did Punjab Kings pay tribute to Amanpreet Gill in IPL 2025?
Punjab Kings players wore black armbands during their IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as a mark of respect for Amanpreet Gill. The gesture was seen live on television and shared widely on social media, bringing Gill's story to millions of cricket fans across India who may not have known him before.
What did Yuvraj Singh say about Amanpreet Gill's death?
Yuvraj Singh, the former India all-rounder and Punjab cricket icon, paid a heartfelt public tribute to Amanpreet Gill on social media after his passing. Yuvraj expressed deep sadness over the loss and acknowledged Gill's contributions to Punjab cricket. His tribute was one of the most widely shared responses to Gill's death online.
What is the latest update on Amanpreet Gill's death in May 2025?
Amanpreet Singh Gill passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Chandigarh at age 36. The Punjab Cricket Association officially mourned his death. Punjab Kings honored him with black armbands in IPL 2025. Formal memorial tributes from the PCA are expected in the coming days as the cricket community continues to grieve.
