Former Punjab cricketer and Virat Kohli’s ex‑U19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill has died at the age of 36, sending shockwaves through Indian cricket and prompting heartfelt tributes from across the game, including former India all‑rounder Yuvraj Singh. His passing comes after a reported six‑month battle with a serious illness, underlining the fragility of even the brightest young sporting careers.timesofindia.
What happened
Former Punjab cricketer and Virat Kohli’s ex-U19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill passed away at the age of 36 on May 6, 2026, in Chandigarh after a prolonged illness. As per reports by timesnownews, Gill had reportedly been battling a serious health condition for nearly six months before his death, although the exact illness or official cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed by his family or the Punjab Cricket Association.
The news arrived like a sudden thunderbolt for Punjab cricket, which was simultaneously preparing for an IPL 2026 clash between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In a visible gesture of solidarity and grief, Punjab Kings players wore black armbands during the match — a poignant tribute to a man who once wore the same franchise jersey in the early years of the IPL.
Who was Amanpreet Singh Gill?
Born and raised in Chandigarh, Amanpreet Singh Gill was a right-arm medium-fast bowler who came of age during one of Indian cricket's most talent-rich generations. He was part of the same Under-19 cohort that included Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Saurabh Tiwary, and Manish Pandey — names that would go on to define Indian cricket for the next two decades.
In the U-19 tri-series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Gill was one of India's standout performers — taking 3 wickets for 19 runs in the final as India won convincingly. That performance announced him as a genuine prospect. Yet, when the selectors assembled India's squad for the 2008 U-19 World Cup in Malaysia, Gill narrowly missed out, with Pradeep Sangwan and Ajitesh Argal preferred ahead of him.
It was one of those career crossroads that domestic cricketers often face in silence — a near miss at the biggest youth stage, with no guarantee of a second chance. Gill moved on with quiet resolve.
Career at a glance
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His final notable senior appearance came in the 2008 Ranji Trophy against a formidable Mumbai side that featured the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Wasim Jaffer, and Amol Muzumdar. Gill's figures of 1/85 and 1/24 across both innings were respectable against such quality opposition — and they would prove to be his last senior competitive outing. He gradually stepped away from competitive cricket after that, without fanfare or controversy, as many domestic cricketers must.
Career timeline
- 2006
Punjab debut in domestic cricket
Broke into the Punjab senior side as a promising medium-fast bowler in Ranji Trophy.
- 2007
U-19 tri-series standout — 3/19 in final
Represented India U-19 alongside Kohli and Jadeja. Picked up 9 wickets in the tournament; delivered a match-winning spell in the final vs Sri Lanka/Bangladesh.
- 2008
IPL debut — Kings XI Punjab
Part of the Kings XI Punjab squad in the inaugural IPL season. Also played his last Ranji match against Mumbai this year.
- 2010
Final IPL season
Featured for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2010 before gradually transitioning away from competitive play.
- 2010s
Transition to administration
Joined Punjab's cricket administrative structure; eventually became a member of the PCA Senior Selection Committee — helping identify and develop future Punjab cricketers.
- 2026
Passes away in Chandigarh — May 6
Aged 36, leaving behind a legacy of service to Punjab cricket both on and off the field.
Yuvraj Singh and the cricketing fraternity react
Perhaps no tribute captured the mood of the Punjab cricket community more precisely than the words of Yuvraj Singh — the iconic left-hander who came from the same generation and the same state. Although Yuvraj and Gill did not regularly appear in the same Punjab senior XI, they shared early domestic cricket connections through Punjab's developmental age-group setup.
Yuvraj Singh — Former India All-Rounder
"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."
Punjab Cricket Association — Official Statement
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab. He served Punjab cricket with dedication and passion... May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Punjab Kings (PBKS) — Instagram tribute
The franchise posted a condolence story on Instagram honoring Amanpreet's memory and association with the team during its early years. PBKS players wore black armbands during their IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 6.
Why this loss matters beyond the numbers
Amanpreet Singh Gill's career statistics — 6 first-class games, 11 wickets, two IPL seasons — do not tell the complete story of a life devoted to cricket. They represent the visible tip of years of training, sacrifice, and commitment that most domestic cricketers put in without the recognition their international counterparts receive.
What makes Gill's story particularly resonant is what came after his playing career ended. Rather than drifting away from the sport, he chose to remain embedded in it — as a selector, quietly shaping Punjab cricket from behind the scenes. This is a path taken by few, and it speaks to a genuine love of the game rather than personal ambition. He was helping identify the next generation of Punjab cricketers even as he passed away at 36.
Former Punjab cricketer Amanpreet Singh Gill passes away at 36, PCA, Yuvi pay tributehttps://t.co/huN9vDorqZ#AmanpreetSinghGill #PunjabCricket #YuvrajSingh #PCA #CricketNews #IPL #KingsXIPunjab #IndianCricket #Chandigarh #RIPAmanpreetGill #DomesticCricket #PunjabNews…
— YesPunjab.com (@yespunjab) May 7, 2026
What happens next
According to reports, Gill's last rites were scheduled in Chandigarh. The PCA and Punjab Kings have both extended support to his family. No details of any memorial match or tribute event have been confirmed as of this report.
The void he leaves on the PCA's senior selection committee will need to be filled — a task that, in cricket administration terms, is procedural. The greater void is the quieter one: the kind left by someone who stayed close to the game not for spotlight, but for love. Punjab cricket will feel that absence for years.
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