3 times Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill scored hundreds in the same match

Former India captain Virat Kohli is second on the list of leading run-getters in international cricket. In 559 matches (626 innings) across formats, he has amassed 28,215 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 79.62. His stats include 85 hundreds and 146 half-centuries.

Shubman Gill has been considered as the natural successor to Kohli for a few seasons now. The 26-year-old has already taken over the reins of the Test and the ODI side. In 141 matches (173 innings) across formats so far, he has scored 7,029 runs at an average of 46.24 and a strike rate of 81.87, with 21 tons and 29 fifties.

Kohli and Gill have been teammates for India in quite a few games. They have also been opponents in the IPL. In this feature, we look at four instances of the two star cricketers scoring centuries in the same match.

#1 India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI in Thiruvananthapuram – January 2023

Kohli and Gill struck wonderful hundreds as India beat Sri Lanka by a whopping 317 runs in Thiruvananthapuram in the third ODI of a three-match series in January 2023. Batting first, India put up 390-5 on the board and then cleaned up Sri Lanka for 73 in 22 overs as Mohammed Siraj starred with figures of 4-32. With the massive win, India also clinched the series 3-0.

Gill and Kohli featured in a 131-run stand for the second wicket. Kohli top-scored with a magnificent 166* off 110 balls – a knock which featured 13 fours and eight sixes. Opening the innings, Gill contributed 116 off 97 balls. His knock comprised of 14 fours and two sixes. Before his partnership with Kohli, Gill also added 95 runs for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma, who contributed 42 off 49 balls.

#2 India vs Australia, 4th Test in Ahmedabad – March 2023

Gill and Kohli also scored centuries at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the fourth Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March 2023. The high-scoring Test, which saw a total of four hundreds – two from either side – ended in a dull draw.

Australia batted first in the Test and put up 480 in 167.2 overs. India responded with 571 as Kohli scored 186 and Gill 128. Kohli batted for 364 balls and hit 15 fours in his 517-minute stay at the crease. Gill’s knock came off 235 balls and included 12 fours and a six. Gill’s knock ended when he was trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon, while Kohli was caught at deep midwicket off Todd Murphy.

In their second innings, Australia responded with 175-2 declared as the match ended in a stalemate, Travis Head scored 90 off 163 balls and Marnus Labuschagne 63 off 213. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his 186.

#3 RCB vs GT in Bengaluru – IPL 2023

Kohli and Gill scored tons for their respective sides in match number 70 of IPL 2023 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. GT won the toss in this match and elected to field. Batting first, RCB put up 197-5 on the board in their 20 overs. GT, however, chased down the target in 19.1 overs, with six wickets in hand.

Opening the innings, Kohli top-scored for RCB, smashing 101 not out off just 61 balls. His blazing knock featured 13 fours and a six. The star batter, however, did not get much support from his teammates. Faf du Plessis’ 28 was the next best score in the innings, while Michael Bracewell scored 26 and Anuj Rawat 23*.

Gill guided GT home in the chase with a sublime 104* off just 52 balls, outshining Kohli’s effort. The elegant batter’s knock featured five fours and as many as eight sixes. He added 123 runs for the second with Vijay Shankar (53 off 35), who was promoted to No. 3. Gill hit the winning runs with a brilliant six off Wayne Parnell, also completing his century in the process.