Virat Kohli has reacted to Shubman Gill's recent performance in the second Test match against England at Edgbaston, praising the young cricketer as his successor at the No. 4 position. Gill's record-breaking performance has drawn accolades from the former India captain, who acknowledged Gill's talent and potential.
Kohli took to Instagram to express his admiration for Gill, calling him a "star boy" and stating that Gill was "rewriting history". Kohli further added, "Onwards and upwards from here. You deserve all of this,". Kohli's encouraging words highlight the respect and admiration he has for Gill, recognizing his outstanding achievements.
Shubman Gill has been making headlines with his exceptional performance in the series against England. In the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill showcased his talent by scoring an impressive 269 in the first innings and following it up with an unbeaten 100 in the second innings. Gill has become only the third Indian captain to score centuries in both innings of a Test match, joining legends Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid. Gill's scores in the second Test helped India set a daunting target of 608 for England.
Gill's first-innings score of 269 is now the highest score by an Indian Test captain, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record of 254 runs. Furthermore, his score is the highest ever by an Indian batter in England, breaking Sunil Gavaskar's long-standing record of 221 runs at The Oval in 1979. Gill's 269 is also the highest score by an Indian outside Asia, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar's 241* at Sydney in 2004. He became the third-highest away Test scorer for India, trailing only Virender Sehwag's 309 and Rahul Dravid's 270.
Shubman Gill has surpassed Virat Kohli's record to become the highest run-scorer in his debut Test series as India's captain. Gill amassed 460 runs in four innings. Gill began the series with 147 at Headingley and followed it up with his 269 at Edgbaston.
Shubman Gill's success is not limited to Test cricket alone. He has demonstrated his skills across all formats of the game, establishing himself as a complete cricketer. In 2025, Gill has scored 457 runs in 3 Test matches, averaging 91.40. In ODIs, he has 447 runs in 8 matches at an average of 63.85. He also had a successful IPL 2025 season, amassing 650 runs in 15 matches. Gill's refined technique and mature mindset have contributed to his success.
Virat Kohli has previously spoken about his relationship with Shubman Gill, mentioning that he is always keen to help him grow. Kohli noted Gill's eagerness to learn and his impressive skill set. He also expressed his desire to see Gill reach his full potential and contribute to Indian cricket for a long time. Gill has also spoken about Kohli's influence, recalling advice from Kohli to perform from the very first innings.
With Shubman Gill taking over the No. 4 position in Test cricket, he is expected to carry forward the legacy of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, who previously held the spot. Gill's recent performances suggest that he is well-equipped to handle the responsibility and live up to the expectations.
