GT vs RCB: Shubman Gill topples Virat Kohli in this elite list

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill, who took over the reins from Hardik Pandya at the start of IPL 2024, toppled stalwart Virat Kohli in an elite IPL list. 

Not just Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill also jumped over the likes of a few other IPL veterans like Piyush Chawla and Sanju Samson in this list. The 24-year-old achieved this feat during his side's cruel 4-run loss to the hands of Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals last night at the Arun Jaitley stadium. 

GT kneeling in the absence of Hardik Pandya 

This was Shubman Gill and GT's 5th loss of the season and they currently find themselves struggling at the 7th spot with just 4 wins to their name. The 2022 champions and 2023 runners-up have had a tough season so far as the absence of former captain Hardik Pandya is being felt largely. 

Shubman Gill might be one of the brightest batting prospects in Indian cricket, but he has yet to fully develop as a great leader and tactician of the game. The dynamics of captaining an IPL team are far more different and far more challenging, something Gill has never really experienced before. 

The Gujarat Titans have also struggled to strike the right balance in their team. When they had Hardik Pandya in the team, GT looked much more balanced and lethal. But without an all-rounder like him in the side, Shubman Gill and Ashish Nehra are paying the ultimate price. 

Shubman Gill overtakes Virat Kohli to become the 2nd youngest in IPL to play 100 games 

Shubman Gill's appearance at the National Capital last night was his 100th Indian Premier League appearance since making his debut in 2018. Gill overtook Virat Kohli, who achieved this individual milestone when he was 25 years and 182 days old. It is a great milestone, but the right-hand batter would have loved to cap it off with a win. 

Other than Kohli, Shubman Gill also toppled Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and MI's veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. While Samson played his 100th IPL match when he was 25 years and 335 days old, Chawla did so when he was 26 years and 108 days old.

Shubman Gill is now the second youngest player to appear in 100 IPL games at the age of 24 years and 229 days. His GT teammate Rashid Khan is still the youngest player in the cash-laden league to make 100 appearances. The Afghanistan international had played his 100th match at the age of 24 years and 221 days during his stint with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Gill's inconsistency in IPL 2024 continues

Meanwhile, in his 100th IPL game, Shubman Gill could not do anything special for himself or the Gujarat Titans. After winning the toss against DC, Gill decided to bowl first and then saw his bowlers concede 224 runs in the first innings. In response, Gill got out for just 6 runs, and GT, despite the half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and David Miller, lost the nail-biting encounter by 4 runs. 

With that, GT lost its fifth game of the season, and its playoff qualification prospects are in danger for the first time since its entry into the Indian Premier League.