A Legacy of Batting Greats: Gavaskar, Tendulkar, and Kohli
Indian Test cricket has seen a rich legacy of batting legends, each passing the torch to the next generation. The journey began with Sunil Gavaskar, widely regarded as India’s first true batting superstar. Fondly called the Little Master, Gavaskar set a new benchmark in Test cricket by becoming the first Indian to surpass the 10,000-run milestone in the red-ball format.
Following his retirement in 1987, it was Sachin Tendulkar who emerged as the next icon. Making his debut nearly two and a half years later, Tendulkar went on to redefine batting in Test cricket. He remains the only player to have scored over 15,000 Test runs, making him a global ambassador of the game and earning the title of “The God of Cricket.”
As Tendulkar stepped away from Test cricket in 2013, the baton was picked up by Virat Kohli. Debuting in 2011, Kohli brought with him a fiery attitude and unmatched consistency. While his total of 9,230 Test runs may not match Tendulkar’s staggering numbers, his influence on Indian cricket—through both his aggressive style and leadership—was immense.
Nasser Hussain Predicts Shubman Gill as the Next Test Superstar
Now, the conversation turns to the future. Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Shubman Gill could be the one to carry forward this storied legacy. Speaking during the pre-match show for the first Test between England and India at Headingley on June 20 (Friday), Hussain reflected on the baton’s journey:
“Test match cricket is so much better when Kohli is playing. We moved on from Gavaskar to Tendulkar to Kohli—and maybe now to Gill. But Kohli added so much to this game of cricket,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
Gill, who made his Test debut in 2020, has had a steady if not spectacular start to his red-ball career. In his first 32 Tests, he has managed just under 2,000 runs, yet he now holds the crucial responsibility of leading India’s Test side. According to Hussain, the energy and leadership Kohli brought to the team—often visible in the aggressive mindset of players like Siraj, Bumrah, and Shami—helped shape India’s modern Test identity.
“He was in the huddle pointing at every Indian player, telling them to unleash hell on that England batting lineup. And they did. That side became a mirror image of Kohli—the feistiness, the fight, the in-your-face cricket,” Hussain added.
As Indian cricket fans look ahead, all eyes are on Shubman Gill. Can he live up to the legacy of those before him? With time on his side and leadership now added to his resume, the stage is set for Gill to become the next great chapter in India’s Test cricket history.
