Almost same as Kohli after 37 Tests: How 'Prince' Shubman Gill is becoming the next 'King'

Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli [Source: @kody_simmons56/X.com]

In Indian cricket, comparisons between generations are inevitable. From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, and Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, each great has carried forward the weight of expectations. Now, Shubman Gill appears to be walking a similar path. After 37 Tests, his numbers stand strikingly close to Kohli’s at the same stage.

The current Indian Test skipper stands tall with his Test records now after the England series with elegance, composure, and adaptability across conditions. With the glory days coming for the young batter, here's how Shubman Gill is quietly shaping a career that mirrors Kohli’s early rise.

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Gill vs Kohli: Parallels in numbers and early trajectories

By his 37th Test, Virat Kohli had accumulated 2,794 runs at 45.06. At the same mark, Shubman Gill has 2,647 runs at 41.36. The average may tilt slightly in Kohli’s favour, but Gill’s stronger conversion in the form of tons and fifties highlights his hunger for big runs, an attribute that often defines champions.

(Gill vs Kohli after 37 Tests)

Gill’s record of 9 centuries from 69 innings translates to a 13% century rate, while Kohli managed 11 from 66 innings (16.6%). While Kohli’s slightly higher conversion underscores his early dominance, Gill’s ability to bounce back after a brief drought between innings 18 and 20, with back-to-back hundreds, showcases his resilience and growing self-belief.

The technique and ability at par in different conditions!

Kohli’s early hallmark was his ability to dominate spin through a low crouch and decisive trigger movement, creating room for his late-cut punches and inside-out drives. Gill, meanwhile, relies on an upright stance and crisp timing, producing strokes through the covers and lofted drives on the up. His twin hundreds in England, 147 at Headingley and 269 at Edgbaston, displayed poise under foreign skies, echoing Kohli’s early mastery of tough conditions.

(Kohli vs Gill in Away Tests after 38 innings)

Kohli’s maiden overseas century came in England by his 16th Test. Gill, by his 28th, had already scored hundreds at the Oval (103) and Lord’s (161). His assertive approach abroad mirrors Kohli’s fearlessness, while his strike rate of 61.43 at home surpasses Kohli’s 53.02 at the same stage, showcasing Gill’s intent on Indian tracks without compromising technique.

(Kohli vs Gill at Home after 31 innings)

While Kohli’s strike rate in his first 37 Tests hovered around 50 before quickening post-2015, Gill’s has already climbed from the low 50s to over 70 in key innings, settling at 61.43. This progression points to a temperament tailored to modern Test demands of classical patience blended with an aggressive edge.

Gill's growth under pressure and leadership glimpses

Virat Kohli’s rise coincided with captaincy duties that sharpened his game. Gill, too, has shown leadership glimpses, captaining India in Tests and as vice-captain in the Asia Cup T20. His unbeaten 119* against Bangladesh under pressure, along with a captain’s century at Eden Gardens, revealed maturity beyond his years and the ability to shoulder responsibility when it mattered most.

As Kohli earned the title of “King” for his dominance in chases and landmark knocks, Gill’s rise in Indian cricket has led many to label him the “Prince.” His seamless transition from Asia Cup T20 success that ended on September 28 to leading India in Tests against the West Indies underscores an all-format adaptability reminiscent of Kohli’s versatility during his formative years.

From 'Prince' to the next 'King'!

By his 37th Test, Shubman Gill’s numbers align strikingly with Kohli’s, reflecting both promise and parallels. With elegance, consistency, and leadership glimpses already on display, Gill is carving a legacy that feels both familiar and refreshing. 

Just as Kohli once carried the baton from Tendulkar, Gill now seems poised to inherit the title of the 'Great', shaping India’s next era of batting brilliance and signalling the rise of a future king.

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