3 reasons why Shubman Gill should be India's No. 3 batter in ODIs after Virat Kohli

Shubman Gill registered his first ODI series win as captain against Afghanistan in June 2026.

Indian Cricket Team batter Shubman Gill was given the ODI captaincy in October last year ahead of the Australia tour. The right-handed batsman became the successor to Rohit Sharma, taking the leadership of ODIs just a few months after being named the Test captain.

Gill has cemented his position as an opener alongside Rohit and played over 50 ODIs in the top slot. Since 2010, Virat Kohli has held the No. 3 position in ODIs for India and has executed a brilliant job over the years. He is set to grab that spot till the end of his ODI career.

Following Kohli’s retirement from One-Day Internationals, India would need a strong batter to grab the No. 3 slot in the 50-over format, and Gill would be an appropriate choice. On that note, below are the three reasons why Shubman Gill should be India’s No. 3 batter in ODIs after Kohli.

Why Shubman Gill should be India’s No. 3 in future?

3. Fabulous record at No. 3 in ODIs

Gill has played 57 games as an opener and scored 2771 runs at an average of 57.72 and a strike rate of 99.35, hammering 7 centuries and 17 half-centuries in the process. Hence, he owns a brilliant record as an opener. However, he has done better in the 6 ODIs he has batted at No. 3.

The 26-year-old has piled up 420 runs at an average of 70.0 and a strike rate of 113.8. He has also smacked two centuries and one fifty.

In Virat Kohli‘s absence in the ongoing Afghanistan ODI series, Shubman took the number three position in the 2nd ODI. He slammed an unbeaten 84* runs in the first ODI in Dharamsala and 154 in the second game in Lucknow, while batting at No. 3.

2. Best batting position for Shubman Gill’s playing style

Although Gill has also done a brilliant job as an opener, his playing style makes him an efficient batter at No. 3 too. His ability to find gaps, handle spin bowling, switch gears in the middle overs, and play defensive shots makes him a perfect batter at No. 3 as well.

Over the years, Virat has played a crucial role in plotting out chases and maintaining tempo as the No. 3 batter, and Gill can surely replicate his role in ODIs.

Notably, Gill has smoothly replaced Kohli as the No. 4 batter in Tests after the latter’s retirement and has done a marvellous job in that position. Hence, he can replicate his role at No. 3 in ODIs as well.

1. Will vacant opening slot for emerging players

The Indian cricket team has plenty of options for openers in ODIs, but not many for the middle order. Many opening batters are eagerly waiting for opportunities in the ODI team, with the likes of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, among others.

There is a massive imbalance between the top and middle-order slots in the team, which has forced management to settle opening batters in the middle-order in recent times.

The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya and Abhishek Sharma will target the opener’s slot in the future, especially after Rohit Sharma‘s retirement.

If Gill moves down to the No. 3 slot, these players will be able to cement their place as an opener. Sending them to the crucial No. 3 slot directly will not be a logical move.

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