In a heartwarming moment of sporting camaraderie, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes expressed admiration for India’s Test captain Shubman Gill during Team India’s visit to Old Trafford ahead of the fourth Test against England. The highly anticipated match is set to begin on July 23 in Manchester, and the Indian team took time to explore the iconic football stadium before the contest.
Fernandes, who leads one of the most globally recognized football clubs, welcomed the Indian cricketers and engaged in a friendly chat with Shubman Gill. Speaking about their interaction, Fernandes shared that the two captains discussed the nuances of leadership in their respective sports.
IND Vs ENG: Rishabh Pant Looks Sharp During Practice Session Ahead Of Crucial 4th Test At Old Trafford; VideoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Team India (@indiancricketteam)
“We were just talking about captaincy, how different it is to both sports and everything,” Fernandes said. “It’s a huge honour to meet him (Gill). Obviously I know he just became captain and it’s a huge privilege and huge honour for him. I hope he can have huge success."
As Team India prepares for the crucial fourth Test against England, Gill will be hoping to channel some of that leadership inspiration into a strong performance on the field. With Fernandes' words of encouragement ringing in his ears, Gill carries not just the hopes of his team, but also the growing legacy of cricket captains forging bonds across sporting boundaries.
IND Vs ENG: Rishabh Pant Shares Wicketkeeping Tips With Manchester United's Tom Heaton During Special Meet-Up; Video
In a delightful crossover moment between cricket and football, Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was seen teaching Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton some wicketkeeping drills during Team India’s visit to the iconic football club. The fun exchange took place ahead of the high-stakes 4th Test between India and England, which begins on July 23 at Old Trafford.
As part of a special event organized during India’s tour of England, several Indian cricketers, including Pant, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj, visited Manchester United’s training facility. While most of the interactions involved fun football drills and casual conversations, it was Pant’s impromptu coaching session with Tom Heaton that stood out.
An epic crossover 🔝
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 21, 2025
Indian Cricket Team 🤝🏻 Manchester United#TeamIndia | @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/VNcovRIs5X
The two players, both experts in their own roles behind the goal or stumps, shared techniques and laughs as Pant demonstrated classic wicketkeeping footwork, catching drills, and glove work. Heaton, clearly amused and intrigued, tried mimicking Pant’s movements, showing genuine interest in the similarities between goalkeeping and wicketkeeping.
The heartwarming moment was captured on video and quickly went viral among fans of both sports. It served as a reminder of the respect and curiosity athletes have for one another, even across completely different disciplines.
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