Shubman Gill vs Virat Kohli: Who Is A Better Player After 65 ODIs?

Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]

Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli represent two different generations of Indian cricket, but both have carried enormous expectations from the very beginning of their ODI careers. 

While Kohli established himself as one of the greatest batters the game has ever seen, Shubman Gill has rapidly emerged as India's next batting superstar and now leads the national team in both ODIs and Tests.

Gill has enjoyed remarkable success over the last few years, scoring heavily across conditions and establishing himself as India's premier ODI opener. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, transformed himself from a promising youngster into arguably the greatest ODI batter of the modern era.

But if we compare both players after their first 65 ODI matches, who had the better numbers? 

Stats and Numbers Compared

[ODI Stats of Gill and Kohli after 65 matches]

At first glance, Gill's dominance is difficult to ignore. He has scored 3271 runs, while Kohli had 2384 runs after 65 ODIs. That is a massive difference of 887 runs, meaning Gill had scored 37.2% more runs than Kohli at the same stage of their careers.

The average tells a similar story. Gill averaged 60.57, whereas Kohli averaged 43.35. That is an advantage of 17.22 runs per dismissal, with Gill's average being almost 39.7% higher.

The strike-rate comparison is equally impressive. Gill scored at 101.18, compared to Kohli's 81.64, giving him a strike-rate advantage of 19.54 runs per 100 balls, roughly 24% faster than Kohli during the same phase.

Even in terms of centuries, Gill stays comfortably ahead with nine ODI hundreds, while Virat Kohli had five after his first 65 matches.

On paper, there is absolutely no debate. Gill has produced one of the greatest starts to an ODI career.

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Why Shubman Gill's Numbers Are So Extraordinary?

Gill's consistency has been exceptional ever since he cemented his place at the top of India's batting order.

He has scored runs against almost every major opponent, breaking multiple records and surpassing legends, including Australia, England, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. His double century against New Zealand, multiple hundreds against Australia and Pakistan, and his performances in ICC tournaments underline how quickly he has become India's most dependable ODI batter.

Another major factor behind Gill's numbers is his role. Unlike Kohli, Gill bats almost exclusively as an opener. Opening allows him to utilise the entire 50 overs if he gets set, making big hundreds more achievable.

The result is evident in his numbers, with an average touching 61 despite maintaining a strike rate above 100.

Virat Kohli's Early Career Came Under Completely Different Circumstances

While Gill comfortably leads statistically, Kohli's first few years in ODI cricket were very different.

Unlike Gill, Kohli did not have a fixed batting position during the initial phase of his career. He batted at No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and even No. 7 before finally becoming India's permanent No. 3 batter.

The instability naturally affected his consistency. More importantly, Kohli began his international career during one of the toughest bowling eras in modern cricket.

He regularly faced some of the greatest fast bowlers and spinners of all time. James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Dale Steyn, Lasith Malinga, Sunil Narine, Mitchell Johnson and several other world-class bowlers were operating at their peak during Kohli's early years.

Conditions were also considerably more challenging. Modern ODI cricket is played on flatter pitches, with shorter boundaries, heavier bats, improved protective equipment and fielding restrictions that often favour batters. Today's white-ball cricket generally offers more scoring opportunities than it did during Kohli's formative years.

These factors do not diminish Gill's achievements, but they do provide important context while comparing players from two different eras.

Conclusion: Who Is Better? Shubman Gill or Virat Kohli?

If the comparison is limited strictly to the first 65 ODIs, Gill is comfortably ahead.

He has scored 887 more runs, averages nearly 40% higher, strikes significantly quicker and has almost double the number of centuries. Purely on numbers, Gill has enjoyed a much stronger start than Virat Kohli.

However, the overall debate is entirely different. Kohli went on to redefine ODI batting over the next decade, finishing as one of the greatest players the format has ever witnessed. He sustained elite consistency across every continent, against every opposition and under immense pressure for well over 15 years.

Gill has undoubtedly made a better statistical start, and his numbers suggest he possesses the potential to reach similar heights. But sustaining that level for another decade is the true challenge.

For now, Shubman Gill clearly wins the comparison after 65 ODIs on paper. Yet, when the conversation shifts from career starts to overall greatness, Virat Kohli still remains in a league of his own.

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