The way in which Shubman GillThe GT century prevailed over the RCB talisman Virat Kohli
‘s ton indicated that a new era has already begun in Indian cricket. For now, “King” Kohli’s legacy is in good hands…CHENNAI: Virat Kohli is no stranger to defeats in the IPL. But rarely in his 16-year spell with Royal Challengers Bangalore has his team lost when ‘King Kohli’ has gone as he did on Sunday at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
It can be interpreted as a passing of the torch moment in Indian cricket, because it was Shubman Gill’s 104 off 52 balls that overshadowed Kohli’s 101 off 61.
IPL: RCB campaign ends after loss to GT, MI passes
Australian legend Matthew Hayden, in an interview with TOI a few days ago, said Gill is “already there”, proving he’s the man to carry on Kohli’s legacy, just like Kohli did 10 years ago when Sachin Tendulkar left the stage.
A rainy Sunday evening in Bengaluru proved Hayden right. Just as Gill’s coup meant the radiant Punjab lad is ready to take over from the Delhi legend, he also signaled an evolution in style. Kohli took 10 more balls to make a century than he did, which isn’t much, but in today’s context of T20 cricket, where every ball is an event, that’s huge.
1/11
IPL 2023: Shubman Gill’s record-breaking run
Show subtitles
Following his winning century for the Gujarat Titans in their final IPL championship stage match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, Shubman Gill has broken more than one record.
With his century, the 23-year-old Gill joined batsmen who had an IPL season with over 600 runs before he turned 25.
In the current season, Gill has scored 680 runs at an average of 56.67 with a strike rate of 152.46.
Gill has scored two centuries and four fifties this season, with a best score of 104*.
Shaun Marsh was 24 when he scored 616 runs and emerged as the winner of the orange cap in the league’s inaugural edition in 2008.
Also on the list are Rishabh Pant (684 runs in 2018 aged 20), Ruturaj Gaikwad (635 runs in 2021 aged 24), Yashasvi Jaiswal (625 runs in 2023 aged 21).
Gill also became the fourth batsman to bat consecutive tons in a single IPL season.
Virat Kohli has scored consecutive tons this same season, with a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad and GT.
Shikhar Dhawan was the first player to score consecutive centuries in 2020.
Jos Buttler capped off his impressive performance by becoming the second batsman to score consecutive centuries in 2022.
A closer look at the stats from the two innings will show you that Kohli had hit 13 boundaries and a six, meaning 58 came from hits to the 14-ball fence. Gill, on the other hand, hit five boundaries and eight sixes meaning 68 were scored off 13 balls. This precisely explains the 10-ball difference in reaching their magic marks, which ultimately proved crucial in a close match.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that even in its current form, Kohli is inferior to Gill. It’s just how the two learned to play: Kohli isn’t the six-shot machine that players who grew up in the T20 era are. For Kohli, hitting an exquisite extra-cover drive to the fence feels more natural, while for Gill, generating that easy power that counts for a six is absolutely daal chawal.
1/11
Virat Kohli’s record 7 centuries in the IPL
Show subtitles
With his century against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023, RCB icon Virat Kohli surpassed Gayle’s record of 6 centuries and became the leading century batsman in the tournament, which was previously solely on behalf of Chris Gayle .(Photo: BCCI/IPL)< /p>
Kohli’s 101* from 61 balls against the defending champions Gujarat Titans was Kohli’s record seven hundred balls in IPL history. (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
Of the 7 centuries in his IPL career so far, Virat has scored four in the 2016 season alone
His first IPL ton (100 not out off 63 balls) came against Gujarat Lions in Rajkot on April 24, 2016 (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
Virat then hit 108 not out off 58 balls against the Rising Pune Supergiants in Bangalore on May 7, 2016 (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
A week later, Virat scored his third IPL ton, against Gujarat Lions in Bengaluru on May 14, 2016, when he batted 109 off 55 balls (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
On 18 May 2016, Virat’s fourth century in the IPL, 113 off 50 balls, came against Kings XI Punjab in Bengaluru (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
Virat’s fifth IPL ton came three years later on April 19, 2019 when he smashed 100 58s against KKR in Calcutta (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
It took four years for Virat to score his sixth century, which could prove to be the one that will take RCB to the 2023 IPL playoffs (Photo: BCCI/IPL)
In the match against GT, Kohli broke Gayle’s 6 dime record and became the top centurion in history. Kohli scored 101* off 61 balls with a strike rate of 165.57 with 13 bounds and a six.
“I love the way he goes to the side of the leg and finds power. What he can do and access because he has strong wrists and has wonderful timing,” said former Australian paceman Brett Lee.
When Kohli was slowly establishing himself as the No. No. 1 of India in the first half of the previous decade, what stood out was his self-confidence. He bordered on cheek at times, but the young Kohli knew he fed on that energy and that adrenaline rush to become the player that he is.
Gill also has a similar aura of confidence, only a little more restrained. But when she beats, she does it the way she thinks is right. She also means that he sometimes goes out after he comes in, which can feel like a brain fade. “T20 is such a game that you have to keep hitting shots. Sometimes you play good shots that go straight into the hands, but it’s important to have the intent and conviction,” Gill’s confidence was evident in the way he explained his trip to the IPL after the winning shot.
1/11
Top-10: Most of hundreds in IPL history
Show subtitles
The modern great is one of the best hitters in the world in every format of the game. In the IPL, Kohli is the leading ever run-getter in the tournament. In 237 IPL matches, Kohli broke Gayle’s record of 6 centuries and scored his 7th hundred against GT which is the most by a player in IPL history. 113 is his highest IPL score, achieved against then Kings XI Punjab in 2016.
When it comes to big hits and scoring big hits, Christopher Henry Gayle’s name will always be on the charts. The ‘boss of the universe’ played 142 IPL matches and smashed 6 hundreds, the second best by a batsman after Virat Kohli in IPL history. Gayle’s highest score of 175* was scored against the now defunct PWI in 2013.
Jos Buttler, the English limited over skipper and Rajasthan Royals pivotal player, is unstoppable when he’s in song and is third on this list. The 2022 Orange Hat winner took his team to the IPL Finals in 2022 but ultimately RR lost to Gujarat Titans. Buttler’s highest score of 124 was scored against SRH in 2021.
Warner is regarded as one of the best foreign players to ever play in the IPL. The “pocket dynamite” is undoubtedly one of the most destructive starters of all time. In the IPL, Warner has hit 4 hundreds in 176 matches so far. His highest score of 126 came against KKR in 2017.
KL Rahul also has 4 IPL centuries to his credit. As skipper of the new LSG franchise, Rahul led from the front and led his team to the play-offs in the 2022 edition where they lost to RCB. Rahul’s highest rating of 132* was achieved when he skippered KXIP in 2020 against his previous team, RCB.
Dangerous opener Shane Watson ranks 6th in the most hundreds by a player in the IPL and third player with a 4-hundred tally. In 145 IPL matches, Watson’s highest score of 117* was scored against SRH in 2018.
“Mr.360” has been a dynamic player in every format of the game. Especially in the IPL, he gave his all for his team and held a special place in the hearts of every RCB fan. de Villiers struck 3 hundreds in his IPL career overall. The highest score was 133* against MI in 2015.
One of the most talented youngsters who has yet to solidify his place in the Indian team. But there’s no mistaking the caliber of Sanju Samson. He has 3 hundreds so far in his IPL career. The wicket-keeper batsman’s highest score is 119, scored against Punjab Kings in 2021.
The ‘Gabbar’ of cricket is known for his sensible batting and big runs scored on big occasions. Dhawan scored a couple of centuries in his IPL career. He holds the record of scoring consecutive centuries in the IPL. His highest score is 106*, beaten against Kings XI Punjab in 2020.
Rahane is one of the most underrated players in IPL history. His impact can rightly be measured when he enters the field and starts playing. In 170 IPL matches, Rahane made 2 hundreds with a top score of 105* scored against Delhi Capitals in 2019.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri, who watched him grow up close, asked the 24-year-old about his tendency to hang out in his 30s and 40s after joining. Gill didn’t get mad, all he said was, “I know my game. For every player it’s important to know who you are. Yeah I was missing out on the big ones, but I was getting 40 and 50 and luckily I’m getting the big ones now nearing the end of business.
This is good news as there are hugely important matches lined up in the coming months, starting with a playoff against MS Dhoni’s CSK in Chepauk on Tuesday. It is up to Gill to speak up and continue to speak up for his franchise and more importantly for India.
With Kohli also finding form, Indian cricket fans may be in for a treat from master and apprentice in the days to come.
