Former Team India opener Aakash Chopra opened up on the comparison between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Chopra said that if Gill gets a chance to play as many ODIs as the senior batsman has played in his career, then he can surpass Virat’s number.
India are preparing for their opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. The squad has already gathered in the city. With Gill unavailable, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul has been appointed captain for the three-match series starting on Sunday, November 30.
Shubman Gill will surpass Virat Kohli’s run tally – Aakash Chopra
While talking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Shubman Gill has the ability to defeat Virat Kohli in ODIs. Chopra said that Gill may not get as many opportunities in today’s schedule-heavy era.
Chopra said, “I think that if Shubman Gill gets a chance to play as many ODIs as Virat Kohli, he will surpass Virat’s number of runs. He may not get as many matches right now, but if he gets a chance, he will surpass Virat.”
Aakash Chopra: “If Shubman Gill plays as many ODI matches as Virat Kohli, he will surpass him.” pic.twitter.com/lZoUHnQkXM
– Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) 27 November 2025
Virat Kohli has scored 14,255 runs in 305 ODI matches at an average of 57.71, which includes 51 centuries and 75 fifties. In comparison, Shubman Gill has scored 2,818 runs in 58 ODIs at an average of 56.36, including eight centuries and 15 half-centuries.
Shubman Gill will not become Yuvraj – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that Shubman Gill can win big titles only by performing well consistently in pressure situations. He recalled a Test in Birmingham where Gill scored 250 and 150 in two innings. He said that this innings came at a place where India had never won.
Chopra said, “It takes time. If he can’t do that, he won’t be able to become a prince or a king; forget even thinking about becoming an emperor. The effort will have to be made, and Indian cricket wants him to succeed, because you need a steady hand, but doing it alone will not make it possible.”
He said, “We keep talking about him because scoring 450 runs in a match is a tough endeavour. In that Test in Birmingham, where India had never won before, and were coming off a defeat. He scored 250 in the first innings and 150 in the second. 420 runs in a match, something no captain has ever done.”
Shubman Gill will move forward from here – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra expressed hope about the future of Shubman Gill. Chopra said that Gill’s development will become evident in the coming matches.
“The runs will come in context, I think. I am very optimistic. This story is not over; in fact, it has just started now that he has been established at number four and has been given the captaincy. I think he will take off from here. Let’s wait and see.”
Gill has been ruled out of the series after suffering a neck injury during India’s first innings in the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He faced only three balls before retiring hurt and took no further part in the match. The right-handed batsman could not even play the second test.
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