Can Shubman Gill replace Virat Kohli at No. 3 in ODI cricket?

Shubman Gill has made rapid strides in world cricket, especially in the 50-over format. He has decent numbers in the other two formats as well, but in ODI cricket, he is class personified.

After playing 62 ODIs since his debut in 2019, the right-handed batter has amassed 3037 runs at a staggering average of 57.30 and a commendable strike rate of 99.64. Shubman has notched up 18 half-centuries, eight tons, and one double-century. His highest score of 208 came against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

Shubman was appointed captain of the Indian team in Tests in May 2025, and he took over as the ODI skipper in October 2025. The 26-year-old will have a key role to play alongside Gautam Gambhir as India prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027, which is going to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Should Shubman Gill take over Virat Kohli’s No. 3 spot in ODIs?

Shubman has played mostly as an opener in ODI cricket. Out of the 62 innings he has played in the 50-over format, only five have come at the No. 3 position, while the remaining 57 have been as an opener.

Shubman does have an average of 53.20 and a strike rate of 102.7 in the limited opportunities he has had at the No. 3 spot. However, should he take up the No. 3 role in ODI cricket permanently?

It has often been said that opening is the best position to bat in white-ball cricket as there is not much swing on offer. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar batted at No. 4 during the majority of his Test career. However, in ODIs, he used to bat at the top.

Shubman has batted at No. 3 in Test cricket in the past, and he has the technical expertise to take up the role. He is equally adept at scoring runs against pace and spin. Like Virat Kohli, Shubman is lightning-quick between the wickets and can rotate strike when the field is spread out during the middle overs.

There is no immediate need, however, for Shubman to play at No. 3, as Kohli is firing on all cylinders at that spot. The former India captain has retired from Tests and T20Is and has set his sights on winning the ODI World Cup next year. There is a popular saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” India should follow that philosophy for now.

After the ODI World Cup, which Kohli decides to bid adieu to international cricket altogether, only then can Shubman think of moving down to the No. 3 spot. This will give India a chance to exploit other potent options at the top of the order.

In Indian cricket, there is no shortage of batting talent. A plethora of them are openers, waiting to make a name for themselves on the international circuit. Abhishek Sharma is waiting in the wings, having already become the No. 1 batter in ICC rankings in T20Is. The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will also keep knocking on the door, having recently earned his maiden call-up to the T20I side.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is India’s backup opener during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. He can be a force to be reckoned with, as he has proven his credentials in the longest format of the game. The likes of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh will also continue pushing for spots as opening batters.

If Shubman decides to drop down to No. 3, these players will be able to play in their preferred spot and hope to cement their place in the squad. However, the Indian team management can think about such a transition phase once Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are done with international cricket.

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