Shubman Gill: India's Next Great Opener
A complete guide to Shubman Gill — India's supremely talented right-handed opening batsman, who scored 2,600+ ODI runs in 2023 (the most by any batsman in a calendar year), and is widely tipped as the cornerstone of India's batting for the next decade.
Shubman Gill is the most gifted young batsman to emerge from India in a generation — a right-handed opener of classical technique and expansive strokeplay who scored the most ODI runs in a calendar year (2023) by any batsman in history, with over 1,800 ODI runs. He combines the footwork and timing of the classic Indian batsman with an ability to score at high rates without taking unnecessary risks. Tipped by Sachin Tendulkar and other legends as India's next great opener, Gill has Test centuries to his name in multiple countries.
Early Career and IPL Route
Born on 8 September 1999 in Fazilka, Punjab, Gill was identified as exceptional talent from his early domestic cricket for Punjab. His performances in the Under-19 World Cup in 2018 — where he was the Player of the Tournament — announced him internationally. He made his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders and worked closely with Brendon McCullum, who identified his technique as among the cleanest in Indian cricket. His Test debut came against Australia in December 2020, where he scored 91 in his second innings at the SCG.
2023 ODI Year: Record-Breaking Form
Gill's 2023 ODI calendar year was extraordinary — he scored 1,849 ODI runs at an average of 70.34, including an astonishing 208 against New Zealand in Hyderabad (only the third ODI double-century in history and the second highest) and a 112-ball century against Sri Lanka. He scored three ODI hundreds in the same bilateral series against New Zealand — an unprecedented achievement. The World Cup 2023 in India saw him score 354 runs in nine matches, finishing as one of the top scorers alongside Virat Kohli.
Career Statistics
| Format | Mat | Runs | Avg | 100s | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 28+ | 1,800+ | 36.0 | 4 | 128 |
| ODIs | 66+ | 3,200+ | 56.0 | 9 | 208 |
| T20Is | 38+ | 1,000+ | 34.0 | 1 | 126* |
Frequently asked questions
What is Shubman Gill's highest ODI score?
Shubman Gill scored 208 against New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on 18 January 2023. It was the second highest individual score in ODI cricket history at the time. He hit 19 fours and 9 sixes at a strike rate of 149.
What did Shubman Gill achieve at the Under-19 World Cup?
Shubman Gill was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2018, where India won the title. He scored 372 runs in the tournament including a century, demonstrating a level of technical accomplishment and temperament that marked him as an exceptional talent.
How many ODI runs did Shubman Gill score in 2023?
Shubman Gill scored over 1,800 ODI runs in the 2023 calendar year — the most ODI runs scored by any batsman in a single calendar year. He averaged over 70 in ODIs that year with multiple centuries, including a double-century against New Zealand in Hyderabad.