Who Is Simranjeet Singh? UAE Bowler Who Played With Shubman Gill

On September 10, 2025, India will take on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai. The match is special for Simranjeet Singh, a 35-year-old left-arm spinner who will face the country of his birth, India, while representing his adopted homeland, UAE.

What makes this encounter even more emotional is Simranjeet’s personal connection with Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain. The two cricketers shared the nets during their early cricket days in Mohali.

Early Cricket Journey in India

Simranjeet Singh grew up in Punjab, where he was deeply involved in district-level cricket. A promising spinner, he was once part of the 2017 Ranji Trophy probables.

During those years, he often trained at the PCA Academy in Mohali. It was there that he bowled to a young Shubman Gill, who was also honing his skills. Simranjeet recalled in an interview: “I have known Shubman since he was a kid, but I don’t know if he remembers me. I had bowled a lot to him during those academy sessions.”

He also got opportunities to bowl in practice sessions with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) during IPL nets in Mohali. Despite this exposure, he never managed to break into the Indian national team.

Move to UAE and Career Breakthrough

In April 2021, Simranjeet travelled to Dubai for a short practice session that was supposed to last only 20 days. However, the second COVID-19 wave struck, and travel restrictions turned his brief stay into a permanent shift.

Stranded in Dubai, Simranjeet began coaching juniors and playing local club cricket. After spending three seasons in UAE domestic cricket, he became eligible to represent the national team. He impressed during trials held by UAE’s head coach, Lalchand Rajput, and was soon awarded a central contract.

He made his T20I debut in November 2024 and has since become one of UAE’s key bowlers.

Rising as UAE’s Spin Weapon

Simranjeet Singh has built a reputation as a spinner who relies on flight and guile rather than just pace. According to coach Lalchand Rajput: “Not every left-arm spinner in T20Is has the heart to give the ball air and flight it consistently. Simran knows how to buy wickets with flight.”

His stats prove his value:

• 12 T20Is: 15 wickets, economy rate of 5.64

• 5 ODIs: 10 wickets

• Best figures: 1/24 with 11 dot balls against Afghanistan on September 5, 2025.

He also shone in the Netherlands Tri-Series in May 2025, emerging as one of UAE’s leading wicket-takers.

Faith and Identity in UAE

A devout Sikh, Simranjeet Singh proudly maintains his religious symbols — beard, kara, and kirpan — in UAE. He has spoken warmly of the acceptance he has received in his adopted country: “This is a great country… No one has ever questioned my beard, kara, or kirpan.”

Facing India in Asia Cup 2025

The upcoming India vs UAE clash will be an emotional moment for Simranjeet Singh. On one side, he faces some of the world’s best batters — Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Hardik Pandya. On the other, his own family will be cheering for his adopted nation.

“The dream was to play for India, but now that I’m playing for UAE, I think my family will support UAE,” he joked.

Regardless of the outcome, the match highlights his remarkable cricketing journey — from Punjab’s training grounds to becoming a frontline bowler for UAE.