Class act: Gill breezes past Kohli, Rohit; now India’s top run-getter in World Test Championship

Shubman Gill’s impressive form in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies has seen him etch his name in the record books, as he overtook Virat Kohli to become India’s highest run-scorer in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The young opener’s second consecutive half-century, following his earlier fifty in Ahmedabad, has reaffirmed his status as one of Indian cricket’s brightest red-ball prospects.

Gill has now accumulated 2,757 runs in 39 WTC matches (including the Delhi Test) at an average of 42.41, with a highest score of 269. His tally includes nine centuries and nine half-centuries, making him not only consistent but also capable of playing match-defining innings.

In contrast, Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, played 46 WTC matches, scoring 2,617 runs at an average of 35.36. While Kohli’s WTC record features five centuries and eleven fifties, his highest score in the competition was an unbeaten 254. Despite playing more matches, Kohli’s average and aggregate have now been eclipsed by Gill’s steady rise.

Gill’s achievement also places him ahead of other Indian WTC performers such as Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, further highlighting his importance in India’s Test set-up going forward.

Globally, England’s Joe Root tops the all-time WTC run charts with a staggering 6,080 runs at 52.86, followed by Australia’s Steve Smith with 4,278 runs at 49.74, and Marnus Labuschagne, who has scored 4,225 runs at 48.01.

At just 24, Gill’s temperament and technique have drawn comparisons with some of the game's modern greats. His ability to adapt across conditions, coupled with a calm head under pressure, has been crucial in anchoring India’s top order in the absence of senior players.

His recent performances not only reflect personal milestones but also signal a generational shift in Indian cricket. As the national side gradually transitions from the Kohli-Rahane-Pujara era, Gill appears poised to become a long-term mainstay in the Test team.

With many matches still to come in the current WTC cycle, Gill has an opportunity to climb further up the global leaderboard — a prospect that will excite Indian fans and selectors alike.

Top batters in WTC

England's Joe Root leads the all-time run-scoring chart in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) with a remarkable 6,080 runs at an average of 52.86, followed by Australia's Steve Smith with 4,278 runs at 49.74, and Marnus Labuschagne, who has amassed 4,225 runs at 48.01. Other top contributors include Ben Stokes (3,616 runs at 37.66), Travis Head (3,300 at 40.24), and Usman Khawaja (3,288 at 45.04). England's Zak Crawley (3,041 at 32.35), Pakistan captain Babar Azam (2,998 at 48.35), and Ollie Pope (2,868 at 32.96) also feature among the leading run-scorers. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson stands out with an exceptional average of 61.34, having scored 2,822 runs. India's Shubman Gill, now the country's top run-getter in the WTC, has scored 2,757 runs at 42.41, surpassing Rishabh Pant (2,731 at 43.34), Rohit Sharma (2,716 at 41.15), and Virat Kohli (2,617 at 35.36). Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne has 2,642 runs at 40.64, while compatriot Dinesh Chandimal de Silva has 2,509 at 44.80. Rounding out the list is India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, with 2,505 runs at 43.94, underlining his value with the bat in addition to his bowling contributions. This list reflects a blend of consistency, longevity, and impact from the world’s finest Test batters across the WTC cycles.

The competition is stiff as ‘Spartans’ wield their willow for glory in red-ball cricket. (With inputs from Agencies)