Shubman Gill vs Virat Kohli: Who’s Better & Stats Comparison at Age 25

By: Cricbites | September 17, 2025

Every generation produces young talents who are compared to the greats of the past or present. Today, the discussion often revolves around two powerful batsmen, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. While Virat Kohli has already established himself as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Shubman Gill is still a rising star. It can be said that in a short span of time, he can take Indian batting into the future.

As you know, Virat Kohli is 36 years old, which means it would be wrong to compare him with Gill, who is ten years younger than him. So how do we compare them? One way to do this is to compare their success up to the age of 25. This would be a fair way to say who is more successful at the age of 25, Kohli or Gill?

So let’s break down everything about them in this blog.

Early Career Journeys

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli stepped into the field as India’s U19 World Cup-winning captain in 2008. His hunger, discipline and ability to chase under pressure made him a key player in India’s ODI setup. By 2013–14 (when he was 25), Kohli had become India’s go-to man in limited-overs cricket. His aggressive batting style, coupled with remarkable consistency, made him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.

By the age of 25, Kohli was not only a consistent run-scorer, but he had also shown signs of becoming India’s future leader. His impressive chases against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia earned him the reputation of “Chase Master”.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill, often called the “Prince” of Indian cricket, came into the limelight during the 2018 U19 World Cup. In that game, he stood out for his stylish batting and calm demeanor. He later made his international debut in 2019. In the initial stages, Gill also struggled for consistency but soon started showing glimpses of his skills.

At the age of 25, Gill is considered one of the best young openers in world cricket. His superb stroke play, ability to adapt to the format and hunger for runs have inevitably drawn comparisons with Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli vs Shubman Gill: Stats Comparison at Age 25

Here’s a closer look at their numbers by the time they both reached the age of 25:

Tests:

Stats	Shubman Gill	Virat Kohli
Matches	32	29
Innings	59	51
Runs	1,893	1,855
Batting Average	35.06	39.46
Strike Rate	59.93	50.06
50s	7	9
100s	5	6
Highest Score	128	119

ODIs:

Stats	Shubman Gill	Virat Kohli
Matches	55	142
Innings	55	134
Runs	2,775	5,901
Batting Average	59.04	51.31
Strike Rate	99.57	89.89
50s	15	31
100s	8	20
Highest Score	208	183

T20Is:

Stats	Shubman Gill	Virat Kohli
Matches	21	28
Innings	21	26
Runs	578	972
Batting Average	30.42	46.28
Strike Rate	139.28	131.70
50s	3	9
100s	1	0
Highest Score	126*	78*

Strengths & Playing Style

Virat Kohli’s Strengths

Chase Master: Kohli’s ability to guide India home in run chases was unmatched even at 25.
Fitness & Intensity: His dedication to fitness revolutionized Indian cricket.
Consistency: Rarely did he go through long lean patches in ODIs.
Adaptability: Equally effective against pace and spin, in subcontinent or abroad.

Shubman Gill’s Strengths

Elegant Stroke Play: Gill’s batting is often compared to legends like Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar for its timing and grace.
Temperament: Calm under pressure, doesn’t get flustered easily.
All-format Potential: Already successful across formats, something India craves post-Kohli.
Explosive Ability: Can accelerate quickly, especially in T20Is, where his strike rate is impressive.

Head-to-Head at 25

When comparing both players at 25, here’s how they stack up:

From the numbers, Kohli had a clear advantage in ODIs and Tests by 25, with far more centuries and higher averages.

Impact Factor

Kohli’s Impact at 25

By 2013, Virat Kohli was not just scoring runs, he was also winning games for India. In ODIs, his ability to chase, especially under pressure, made him indispensable. In Tests, he was developing into India’s next batting star, though his overseas record still had a gap.

Gill’s Impact at 25

Shubman Gill is seen as the next big thing in Indian cricket. His ability to open the batting and give a strong start has been important in all formats. He has already played many match-winning innings and is seen as the future batting backbone of India.

The Mentality & Aura

Kohli at 25 was already aggressive, vocal, and carried himself like a leader. His aura often intimidated opponents.
Gill at 25 is calmer, more reserved, and prefers to let his bat do the talking. He’s more of a Rahul Dravid type compared to Kohli’s fiery nature.

Both approaches have their strengths, but Kohli’s intensity gave him an edge in creating fear among opponents.

The Verdict: Who’s Better at 25?

If we consider the statistics and impact at the age of 25, Virat Kohli is ahead. His ODI dominance was unparalleled, and his ability to win games for India set him apart. He had already laid the foundation for what would become one of the best careers in cricket.

However, Shubman Gill is not far behind. His record is strong, especially in ODIs and T20s, where he has shown a more explosive side than Kohli at the same age.

At 25, Kohli was already a global superstar. Gill is still emerging, but his brilliant batting and hunger for big scores make him the heir to Kohli’s throne.

Conclusion

The comparison between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli at 25 highlights two different stories:

At 25, Kohli was already a finished product and a leader-in-coming in ODIs.
At 25, Gill is still at his peak but has the tools to be equally successful, if not more so.

Ultimately, greatness is not defined by performance at 25 but by how a player adapts and sustains excellence over a long career. Kohli achieved legendary status with over 70 international centuries. For Gill, the next decade will determine whether he can live up to the standards set by Kohli and perhaps even surpass them.

So, who is better? At 25, it is Virat Kohli. But if we look at the possibilities, Shubman Gill could one day rival or even surpass Kohli.

FAQs: Questions & Answers

Q1. How many centuries did Virat Kohli have at age 25 compared to Shubman Gill?

At the age of 25, Virat Kohli has scored 24 international centuries, while Shubman Gill has around 19 centuries to his name, including one double century in ODIs.

Q2. Who had a better ODI record at 25, Kohli or Gill?

Kohli’s ODI record at the age of 25 was phenomenal, scoring over 5,200 runs at an average of over 50 with 18 centuries. Gill, while impressive with nearly 3,500 runs and 12 centuries, is still far behind Kohli’s dominance.

Q3. Did Shubman Gill perform better in T20Is than Kohli at the same age?

Yes, Gill has a higher strike rate (140 against Kohli’s 130) and has scored T20 centuries, which Kohli did not achieve at the age of 25. However, Kohli’s average in T20s was higher.