Follow UsShubman Gill played a superb knock in the first One-Day International (ODI) against England in Nagpur, finishing with 87 off 96 to help India to a four-wicket victory. In doing so, he now holds the record for the highest average in the format among batters who have hit at least 2,000 runs.
Gill's average currently stands at 58.90, which is more than Virat Kohli, who averages 58.18. He, who usually opens with Rohit Sharma in ODIs, played at three in this game to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. Incidentally, Gill played at three, where Kohli usually bats for India.
The 25-year-old averaged 58.20 before the start, which was slightly above Kohli's 58.18, but now the Punjab batter has gone well above his teammate.
Highest average in ODIs (MIN: 2,000 runs)
Shubman Gill 58.90
Virat Kohli 58.10
Babar Azam 56.73
Michael Bevan 53.58
AB de Villiers 53.50
Gill was in terrific form in 2022 and 2023, in which he averaged 70.88 and 63.36, respectively. India played just three ODIs in 2024 in which he scored just 57 runs at 19. India will be pleased that Gill has returned to form in their first ODI of 2025, with less than two weeks to go for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
In the first ODI against England, he first put on 94 off 64 for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (59) and then added 108 off 107 with Axar Patel (52) for the fourth wicket to put India in a commanding position. With this win, India lead the three-match series 1-0. The two teams will be in action next on February 9 (Sunday) in Cuttack.