27 matches, 1377 runs, 6 centuries, 8 half-centuries at an average of 72.47: Virat Kohli is the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023. And in 2023, he also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar for 50 ODI centuries — something not many had predicted when the GOAT scored his 49th ton. Expected, right? Well, there was also Shubman Gill, who overshadowed him in stats. But the Prince of Indian Cricket had to bow down to King Kohli. Is it daylight robbery? Or justified?
Shubman Gill scored 1584 runs in 29 matches including a double century, five centuries and nine half-centuries at an average of 63.36.
Virat Kohli or Shubman Gill?
If runs are to be considered, Shubman Gill definitely aces Virat Kohli. However, stats aren’t all. In ODI World Cup, Kohli finished with a record 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62. Gill could only manage 354 runs in nine matches with four fifties.
Shubman Gill has to be satisfied with BCCI’s International Cricketer of the Year award for now.
| Player | Mat | Runs | Best | Avg | 50/100 |
| Virat Kohli | 27 | 1377 | 166 | 72.47 | 8/6 |
| Shubman Gill | 29 | 1584 | 208 | 63.36 | 9/5 |
Why did Virat Kohli deserve ICC ODI Player of the Year?
- Of 1377 runs, Virat Kohli hit 765 in the World Cup, a high-intensity tournament. Shubman could only manage 354 runs.
- Kohli also scored 794 runs at 56.71 average against better teams like England, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.
- Shubman Gill scored 1584 runs. But his double century came against a depleted New Zealand side.
- Gill scored three centuries against stronger opponents. But all of them came in bilateral matches.
| Player | Mat | Runs | Best | Avg | 50/100 |
| Virat Kohli | 11 | 765 | 117 | 95.62 | 6/3 |
| Shubman Gill | 9 | 354 | 92 | 44.25 | 4/0 |
Fans not convinced
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