Cricket in India has always been full of world-class opening batsmen. From Sunil Gavaskar to Virender Sehwag, and from Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill, each generation has seen the impact of a new star. Of these, Rohit and Gill stand out as two of the most technically gifted and strong batsmen in modern cricket.
While Rohit has already established himself as a great opener, Shubman Gill represents a new generation. In this blog, we compare their performances across formats and analyse their impact on Indian cricket.
Parameter | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill |
---|---|---|
Country | India | India |
Role | Batter | Opening Batter |
Batting Style | Right-Hand Bat | Right-Hand Bat |
Test Innings | 116 | 72 |
Test Runs | 4,301 | 2,839 |
Test Average | 41.00 | 43.00 |
Test Strike Rate | 57.06 | 61.45 |
Test 100s / 50s | 12 / 18 | 10 / 8 |
Highest Test Score | 212 | 269 |
ODI Career Runs | 10,709+ | 2,300+ |
ODI Average | 48+ | 61+ |
T20I Career Runs | 3,900+ | 1,700+ |
International Centuries (All Formats) | 48+ | 12+ |
Category | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill |
---|---|---|
Innings Batted | 116 | 72 |
Total Runs | 4,301 | 2,839 |
Minutes Batted | 11,123 | 6,854 |
Batting Average | 41.00 | 43.00 |
Highest Score | 212 | 269 |
Centuries (100s) | 12 | 10 |
Half Centuries (50s) | 18 | 8 |
Strike Rate | 57.06 | 61.45 |
Total Fours | 472 | 317 |
Total Sixes | 88 | 46 |
Bowling Innings | 16 | 1 |
Wickets Taken | 2 | 0 |
Best Bowling Figures | 1/26 | 1/1 |
Overs Bowled | 63 | 1 |
Economy Rate | 3.51 | 0.86 |
Total Catches | 68 | 30 |
Stumpings | 0 | 0 |
Rohit Sharma’s journey in Test cricket has been an interesting one. After years of limited opportunities, his transition to opener in 2019 changed everything. Rohit combined classic timing with aggressive stroke play, which allowed him to make his mark in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. With a Test average of 43, a highest score of 269 and a technique made for long innings, Gill looks set to lead India’s Test batting for years to come.
Rohit Sharma: Dominated the 2025 England series with scores of 147, 269 and 161, proving his class in seaming conditions.
Shubman Gill: Struggled for consistency against Australia but is India’s top choice at No. 3 or in the opening slot depending on team strategy.
In red-ball cricket, Rohit’s experience and Gill’s youth create the perfect balance at the top. Rohit is more aggressive early on, while Gill is more technically conservative, focusing on timing and placement.
Category | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill |
---|---|---|
Matches Played | 265+ | 54 |
Innings Batted | 258 | 52 |
Total Runs | 10,709+ | 1,489 |
Batting Average | 48.7 | 61.0 |
Highest Score | 264 | 208 |
Centuries (100s) | 31 | 6 |
Half Centuries (50s) | 55 | 9 |
Strike Rate | 91.0 | 93.7 |
Fours | 1,000+ | 157 |
Sixes | 310+ | 52 |
Catches | 90+ | 20+ |
Not Outs | 14 | 4 |
Debut Year | 2007 | 2019 |
If there is one format where Rohit Sharma holds the highest position, it is One Day Internationals. With over 10,000 runs, an average of over 48 and three double centuries, Rohit has a stellar record. His calm and clean hitting under pressure has helped India win many matches, including ICC and IPL matches.
However, Shubman Gill is not far behind. In just a few years, he has crossed the 2000-run mark in ODIs and has an extraordinary average of over 61. His consistency, conversion rate and ability to handle both pace and spin make him India’s most promising ODI batsman after Virat Kohli.
Category | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill |
---|---|---|
Matches Played | 158+ | 50+ |
Innings Batted | 150+ | 48 |
Total Runs | 3,970+ | 1,700+ |
Batting Average | 31.3 | 38.0 |
Highest Score | 121* | 126* |
Strike Rate | 139.5 | 145.0 |
Centuries (100s) | 5 | 2 |
Half Centuries (50s) | 29 | 12 |
Total Fours | 360+ | 170+ |
Total Sixes | 190+ | 65+ |
Catches | 60+ | 25+ |
Debut Year | 2007 | 2022 |
T20 cricket requires adaptability and aggression, and Rohit Sharma has proven his mettle here too. As India’s highest-scoring T20I player, he has scored over 3,900 runs with four centuries. His elegant yet powerful shot-making makes him a natural leader in T20.
Gill’s T20I career is still young, but he has shown flashes of talent. His maiden T20I century (126*) against New Zealand in 2023 is a reminder of his class. While he still needs to find consistency, Gill’s stroke play and calm nature make him a long-term T20 prospect.
Rohit is known as the “Hitman” for a reason. His natural timing and ability to hit sixes with ease are unmatched. He is one of those rare batsmen who can play both classical and modern cricket with equal ease. Once he turns 30, he often converts his debut into a big century.
In contrast, Shubman Gill is the epitome of grandeur. His balance, head position and straight drive remind fans of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Gill’s ability to play above, use of wrists and composure under pressure are the hallmarks of a great batsman in the long run.
Rohit Sharma’s leadership journey has been remarkable. As captain of India and Mumbai Indians, he has led with calm and tactical brilliance. Under his captaincy, India has maintained consistency and reached the knockout stages of several ICC events.
Shubman Gill, although still in the early stages of his career, has already captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 season. His leadership style is both constructive and analytical, often compared to Kane Williamson’s calm demeanor. Gill represents the next generation of Indian cricket leadership.
Rohit Sharma: A legend, a match-winner across all formats and one of India’s best limited-overs batsmen.
Shubman Gill: A rising superstar, a pure, consistent performer, with the potential to be India’s next batting great.
In essence, Rohit symbolises the present and past glories of Indian cricket, while Gill represents the future.
The comparison of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is not a competition but a representation of continuity in Indian cricket. Rohit has been a pillar of Indian batting for over a decade, and Gill looks set to carry on that legacy.
Together, they symbolise two eras, Rohit’s dominance and Gill’s rise, which gives Indian fans the confidence that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands.
Rohit Sharma has scored more runs and centuries in Test cricket, with over 4,300 runs at an average of 41, while Shubman Gill has scored over 2,800 runs at an average of 43.
Currently, Rohit Sharma holds the crown in ODIs. His record is one of the greatest batsmen in history. However, Gill has an average of over 61 but if he maintains his form, he can become one of the greatest batsmen of all time.