IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Shubman Gill vs Virat Kohli After 138 Innings – Is India Skipper the New ‘King Kohli’?

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IND vs ENG 2nd Test: As the second Test between India and England unfolds at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the spotlight is firmly on Indian skipper Shubman Gill, who continues to rewrite the history books.

On Thursday (July 3), Gill became the first Indian captain to score a double century in England and across all SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations. But beyond the milestone lies a deeper narrative - the remarkable similarities between Gill's and Virat Kohli's numbers after 138 Test innings.

Before reaching his unbeaten double century at Edgbaston, the 25-year-old Gill had compiled 5558 runs from 138 innings at an average of 45.9, with 16 centuries to his name. At the same stage of his Test career - after 138 innings - Virat Kohli had scored 5503 runs at an average of 45.5, also with 16 centuries.

The near-identical figures have sparked comparisons across the cricketing world. Is Shubman Gill poised to take over the legacy left by Kohli in red-ball cricket? Though the current Indian skipper has often been lauded for his elegant strokeplay and composure under pressure, it's his consistency that now mirrors that of Kohli during his peak years.

Kohli, regarded as one of India's finest modern-day batters, had taken over the captaincy reins during a crucial transition period and went on to become one of the most successful Indian Test captains. Now, Gill seems to be treading a similar path - leading from the front, delivering match-defining knocks, and showing a maturity that belies his age.

While Kohli remains an iconic figure in Indian cricket, the new generation is beginning to carve out its own space, with Gill emerging as the brightest star. His numbers, leadership style, and hunger for big runs suggest that he could well be on track to carry the torch forward.

With the series still in the balance, Shubman Gill's form and captaincy might just be the key to India scripting another famous overseas win - and perhaps the rise of a new 'King' in Indian cricket.