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Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era, having carried forward the legacy left behind by Sachin Tendulkar. His remarkable consistency across all formats, ability to perform under immense pressure, and aggressive leadership have set him apart as a cricketing icon. Kohli’s dominance in ODIs and T20s, along with his adaptability in Test cricket, has cemented his place among the all-time greats.
What makes Kohli’s career even more special is his ability to win matches single-handedly, particularly while chasing targets. He has played countless memorable innings that have helped India secure major victories, including ICC tournaments and bilateral series across the globe. His leadership qualities, fitness standards, and hunger for runs have influenced an entire generation of cricketers. However, as Kohli moves into the latter stages of his career, cricketing experts have started looking for the next superstar who can take forward his legacy.
Mohammad Hafeez names the next Virat Kohli of Indian cricket
Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has joined the debate on who could be the next big superstar of Indian cricket. According to Hafeez, young batting sensation Shubman Gill is the one who is most likely to take over Kohli’s legacy and become the next dominant force in world cricket. Speaking on Tapmad, Hafeez lauded Gill’s approach and mindset, drawing direct comparisons between him and Kohli. Hafeez emphasized how Gill has been trying to replicate Kohli’s approach since his entry into the Indian team.
“This batsman has been termed as the second Virat Kohli of world cricket. Shubman Gill has been trying to become the next Virat Kohli for the last three years, ever since he has come into the Indian team, Gill has been trying to carry forward Virat Kohli’s legacy. He is trying to make himself the next Virat Kohli, the way Gill is moving forward, it is understood that he wants to carry forward Kohli’s legacy. You see, Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy was carried forward by Virat Kohli, now Gill is trying to carry forward Kohli’s legacy,” Hafeez said.
Hafeez highlighted the striking similarities between Gill and Kohli, particularly in how they approach high-pressure situations. He pointed out that, much like Kohli in his prime, Gill adapts his batting according to match conditions and plays with a composed mindset.
“The way Kohli used to bat in his prime career, Gill is also doing the same. Gill bats according to the situation of the match in pressure matches. A glimpse of Kohli is also seen in Gill. Gill scored a century against Bangladesh but it is the slowest century of his ODI career. But I am happier that he batted in accordance with the condition of the pitch, he understood the pressure of the match and batted accordingly, Gill controlled the game,” added Hafeez.
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Why Hafeez’s choice is factually correct?
Hafeez’s statement is backed by solid evidence, particularly in India’s first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh. Gill played a crucial knock, scoring an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls, guiding India to a comfortable victory. Despite it being the slowest century of his ODI career, Gill showcased immense patience, composure, and adaptability—qualities that define a truly great player.
Much like Kohli in his early days, Gill has demonstrated an ability to read match situations, control the tempo of the game, and deliver under pressure. His century against Bangladesh was a testament to his maturity, as he played according to the conditions rather than going for flashy strokes. This trait has been one of Kohli’s strongest suits throughout his career—knowing when to accelerate and when to anchor the innings.
Another factor that aligns Gill with Kohli’s career path is his growing leadership responsibilities. Now that he has been named India’s vice-captain, Gill is showing signs of stepping into a bigger role within the team, much like Kohli did under MS Dhoni’s captaincy before taking over as the full-time leader. His hunger for runs, consistency, and temperament suggest that he is well on his way to becoming the next batting icon of Indian cricket.
If Gill continues on this trajectory, he has every chance of emulating Kohli’s impact and becoming one of the greatest batters of his generation.
