In the scorching heat of Mohali, amidst a sea of young cricketers wearing yellow jerseys, stands Sukhwinder Singh Tinku - a man whose eyes glisten with pride rather than sweat. As his most famous student, Shubman Gill, creates history thousands of miles away in England, Tinku watches over his trainees with the quiet satisfaction of a man who has transformed personal tragedy into collective triumph.
The Record-Breaking Innings That Made History
Shubman Gill's magnificent 269 runs at Edgbaston has rewritten cricket record books in spectacular fashion. The young batsman's outstanding performance has now become the highest Test score by an Indian captain, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record of 254 not out. This monumental achievement didn't just break numerical records; it shattered psychological barriers for Indian cricket.
However, the real story behind this incredible innings begins not on the lush green fields of England, but on the dusty grounds of Punjab where a young Shubman Gill first picked up a cricket bat under the watchful eyes of his mentor.
The Coach Who Turned Heartbreak Into Hope
Sukhwinder Singh Tinku's own cricketing journey was filled with promise and potential. Having represented India at the Under-19 World Cup, trained at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation, and even spent time honing his skills in Australia, Tinku seemed destined for international glory. But fate had different plans for the talented cricketer.
A severe knee injury on a matting wicket, followed immediately by the sudden death of his father, brought Tinku's world crashing down. With no financial resources to fund his treatment, his dreams evaporated into pain and silence. Yet, displaying remarkable resilience, Tinku fought his way back into the Ranji circuit, defying medical advice and overwhelming odds.
In a cruel twist of fate, a casual football game during a rain delay resulted in another devastating injury. This time, it marked the final end to his playing career. The broken dreamer handed his coach the ball and walked away from the sport he loved.
Birth of a Coaching Legacy
For two long years, Tinku wandered through life in a haze of disappointment and despair. The turning point came unexpectedly when he noticed children playing cricket outside a local school. Something awakened within him when he offered a few tips and saw them eagerly implementing his suggestions.
That small spark ignited a fire that would become his life's mission. If he couldn't live his own cricketing dream, he would dedicate his life to helping others achieve theirs. Thus began an extraordinary coaching journey that started with borrowed cricket balls and makeshift practice sessions on dusty fields.
Among the first batch of young talents to catch Tinku's expert eye was an eight-year-old boy with intense concentration and a natural batting technique - Shubman Gill. "I told everyone back then that this boy would lead India one day," Tinku recalls, his voice filled with the pride of a prophecy fulfilled.
Gill's rapid rise to international stardom came as no surprise to his first coach. "He never carelessly threw away his wicket. Even as a young child, he learned from every mistake without needing to be told repeatedly. That discipline and hunger for improvement remain visible in his game today," Tinku remembers fondly.
Creating Champions Across the Globe
Tinku's coaching philosophy appears deceptively simple: "Playing for India isn't as difficult as people think if you learn the correct technique and practice with complete sincerity." While many skeptics laughed at this straightforward approach, his students took it seriously - and the results speak for themselves.
The list of cricketers who trained under Tinku's guidance and went on to represent various national teams includes impressive names like:
- Manpreet Gony
- Gurkeerat Mann
- Sunny Sohal
- Simi Singh
Despite coaching numerous successful cricketers, Shubman Gill retains a special place in Tinku's heart. The coach fondly remembers an incident that highlights Gill's innocent nature during his childhood days. "Once, Shubman disappeared from training for ten days. When he finally returned, I asked where he had been. He simply said 'I went home.' I told him 'Then go home permanently,' and he actually started walking away! I had to send someone to bring him back. That's how innocent he was," Tinku chuckles at the memory.
From a simple paper packet in his bag, Tinku produces old, faded photographs of young boys with ambitious dreams. Some faces have become international cricket stars, while others have disappeared with time. But for Tinku, each photograph represents a chapter in his ongoing story of resilience and dedication.
When Shubman Gill raised his bat at Edgbaston after scoring his record-breaking 269, the world saw a new cricket record being created. But Sukhwinder Singh Tinku saw something deeper - the reflection of his own broken dream, now wonderfully reborn in the hands of a young man who never forgot his roots or the coach who believed in him first.
