Can Prince Full Fill King Shoes? Let's Compare Virat And Shubman

Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli's entire careers is challenging and can lead to a misleading conclusion, as Gill's career is still in its early stages while Kohli's is long and well-established. A more accurate analysis compares their performance at similar points in their careers, such as after a certain number of innings or by the same age.

The Case for Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has shown immense potential and has even outperformed Kohli in certain metrics early on.

• One Day Internationals (ODIs): Gill's record after 50 ODIs is superior to Kohli's at the same stage. He has scored more runs (2,587 vs. 1,827), has a higher average (60.16 vs. 45.67), and more centuries (seven vs. five). Gill also holds the record for being the fastest to reach 2,000 ODI runs, in just 38 innings. His recent form is exceptional, highlighted by a double century against New Zealand.

• Test Cricket: While Kohli had a slightly better average (39.46 vs. 35.06) after a similar number of innings in Test cricket, Gill has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly his recent double century in a Test series against England. Gill has also scored more runs (1,893 vs. 1,855) and has a similar number of centuries (five vs. six) as Kohli had at age 25.

• T20 Internationals (T20Is): Kohli had a higher average (46.28 vs. 30.42) and strike rate (131.70 vs. 139.28) than Gill at the same age. However, Gill has a T20I century to his name, while Kohli did not have one at that point. Gill's strike rate shows he is a more aggressive player early in his career, which is in line with modern T20 batting styles.

The Case for Virat Kohli

Kohli's career, however, is a benchmark of consistency, longevity, and high-pressure performance. His records and achievements are the gold standard for modern Indian batsmen.

• Consistency and Longevity: Kohli has maintained an elite level of performance across all formats for over a decade. He has played 123 Tests, 302 ODIs, and 125 T20Is, with a total of 14,181 runs in ODIs alone. Gill, with far fewer matches played (35 Tests, 55 ODIs, 21 T20Is), has a long way to go to prove he can sustain that level of output.

• Major Records: Kohli holds numerous international records, including the most centuries in ODIs (51) and the most runs in a single ODI World Cup edition. He has also been named the Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup three times (2014, 2016, and 2023) and was a key member of India's World Cup-winning squads in 2011 (ODI) and 2024 (T20).

• Captaincy: Kohli is considered one of India's most successful Test captains, with 40 wins in 68 matches. Gill, while recently appointed as the Indian Test captain, has only just begun his leadership journey.

Conclusion

While Shubman Gill's early career stats are incredibly promising and, in some cases, even surpass Kohli's at the same stage, it's premature to say he will achieve what Kohli has. Kohli's legacy is defined by his remarkable consistency, ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages, and his longevity. Gill has demonstrated the potential and talent to become a great cricketer, but he must replicate Kohli's sustained excellence over a long period to be considered his equal.