Shubman Gill is increasingly being seen as the heir apparent to the Indian batting throne, carrying forward a legacy previously held by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. The young captain's recent performances and leadership qualities have drawn comparisons to these legends, with one former teammate noting remarkable parallels.

Gill's rise has been meteoric. He first gained prominence with an impressive 418 runs in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the Indian team, establishing himself as a first-choice opener across all formats by early 2023. More recently, Gill has demonstrated his potential as a leader, stepping into the captaincy role and displaying a temperament that reminds some of Virat Kohli.

In a recent Test match against England, Gill's passionate celebrations after a perceived dismissal drew comparisons to Kohli's aggressive leadership style. Sanjay Manjrekar noted Gill's calm demeanor while batting contrasted sharply with his animated on-field presence as captain. While Manjrekar urged patience with the new captain, he suggested Gill could learn from Kohli's attacking mindset. Despite a loss in his first assignment as captain, Gill also marked his captaincy debut with a century, becoming the fifth Indian captain to achieve this feat.

Gill's batting style has also been subject to scrutiny and comparison. Ravi Shastri observed that Gill had worked hard on his defense, allowing the ball to come to him and trusting his technique. Shastri noted that Gill's improved control and shot selection were reminiscent of Virat Kohli's approach.

Sachin Tendulkar himself has weighed in on Gill's potential, predicting a 3-1 series win for India in the Test series against England under Gill's leadership. Tendulkar acknowledged the absence of Kohli and Rohit Sharma but expressed confidence in the new-look batting unit. When asked to draw parallels between his own captaincy and Gill's, Tendulkar demurred, stating that the two eras were too different to compare.

While comparisons to Tendulkar and Kohli are inevitable, Gill is forging his own path. He recently scored a masterful, unbeaten 114 in the second Test against England, leading India to a strong position. Chris Woakes lauded Gill's impressive performance, acknowledging his crucial role in steadying the innings. This century followed a match-defining 147 in the first Test, further solidifying his reputation as a top-order batsman.

Shubman Gill has a long way to go before he can truly be considered in the same league as Tendulkar and Kohli. However, his talent, temperament, and recent performances suggest that he has the potential to become a modern great. As he continues to grow and develop as a player and leader, Gill will undoubtedly leave his own mark on Indian cricket, carrying forward the tradition of excellence established by his predecessors.