Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill—fondly called the “King” and the “Prince” of Indian cricket—share a striking parallel in their transition to Test captaincy, with both seeing spectacular improvements in their batting and leadership during their debut series as captains.
Virat Kohli’s Breakthrough as Captain (2014 Australia Tour)
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Batting Average Pre-Captaincy: 39.46 in Tests.
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Debut as Test Captain: Australia tour, 2014.
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Performance as Captain: Scored 692 runs in 8 innings (4 Tests) at an outstanding average of 86.50, including 4 centuries.
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Post-Series Impact: His Test career average soared to 46.30 after that series.
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Result: Kohli not only boosted his personal stats, but established himself as a leader who thrived under pressure.
Shubman Gill’s Rise as Captain (2025 England Tour)
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Batting Average Pre-Captaincy: 35.05 in Tests.
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Debut as Test Captain: England tour, 2025.
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Performance as Captain: Amassed 754 runs in 10 innings (5 Tests), averaging over 75 and notched up 4 centuries.
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Post-Series Impact: Test career batting average jumped to 41.35.
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Result: Much like Kohli, Gill’s leadership debut marked a turning point, with his form peaking when given the burden of captaincy.
Comparing Virat and Gill’s Captaincy Debuts
| Player | Debut Series as Captain | Runs Scored | Centuries | Avg in Series | Avg Before | Avg After |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 2014, Australia | 692 | 4 | 86.50 | 39.46 | 46.30 |
| Shubman Gill | 2025, England | 754 | 4 | 75+ | 35.05 | 41.35 |
Bottom Line:
Just as Virat Kohli’s career trajectory changed with the responsibility of Test captaincy, Shubman Gill has followed suit more than a decade later. Both started with modest averages and, upon being given the captain’s armband, delivered match-winning performances that elevated not only their own careers, but also Indian cricket as a whole. It truly feels as if history is repeating itself, with the “Prince” echoing the footsteps of the “King.”
