Virat Kohli vs Shubman Gill: What Does The No. 3 Stats Say For The King And The Prince?

Virat Kohli vs Shubman Gill (Source:AP)

In a significant development, Rohit Sharma at the toss announced that Virat Kohli will miss the ongoing first ODI against England due to a right knee injury on Thursday. In his absence, youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named in the playing XI and is also making his debut. It is important to mention that now the role of anchoring the middle order may fall on Shubman Gill at Nagpur. So in this article, let's take a look at how Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill has performed at number 3 position in ODI format. 

Virat Kohli's Sheer Dominance At No. 3 Over The Years!

Virat Kohli has long been synonymous with the number 3 position for India. Over the course of 228 innings at this spot, he has made 11,785 runs at an average of 61.06 and a strike rate of 94.51. Kohli's experience and consistency at this position have strengthened the batting line-up for India. Along with his experience he also has the ability to stabilise the innings and build partnerships under pressure. 

Table: Virat Kohli's ODI Stats At No.3 Position 

How Shubman Gill Has Performed At No. 3 In ODIs?

On the other hand, Shubman Gill, who has primarily established himself as an opener, has had limited exposure at the number 3 role. With just 4 innings in this position, Gill has scored 179 runs at an impressive strike rate of 109.82 and an average of 44.75. While these statistics are promising, they come from a small sample size. 

Gill’s technical prowess and natural flair indicate that he has the potential to adapt to the middle order. However, the real test will be whether he can handle the pressure and anchor the chase in the first ODI match without Kohli.

Table: Shubman Gill's ODI Stats At No.3 Position 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be clearly stated that while Virat Kohli's mastery at the number 3 position remains unequalled. Shubman Gill's foray into this role comes with both potential and uncertainty. The first ODI match against England will not only test India’s adaptability in the absence of Virat Kohli but will also provide a platform for Gill to prove if he can justify the immense responsibility of filling Kohli's shoes. 

If Gill can consolidate his role effectively, it could signal a new era for India’s batting strategy. However, given Kohli’s unparalleled record and consistency in this role, expectations are high, and the margin for error is slim.

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