Shubman Gill will carry his own legacy like Virat Kohli did for India: Venkatesh Iyer [Exclusive]

Published - 18 Nov 2025, 19:15 IST | Updated - 18 Nov 2025, 19:24 IST

Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer expressed his confidence in Indian Test captain Shubman Gill, saying that the young batter is set to carve his own legacy, much like former Indian captain Virat Kohli did for Indian cricket.

In an exclusive interaction with CricTracker, Iyer emphasised that Gill possesses the skill set and temperament to lead India across all three formats, highlighting his calm demeanor and leadership qualities on and off the field.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Iyer also shared a memorable interaction with Kohli during his very first IPL game. The discussion revolved around a particular shot, and Iyer recalled how Kohli’s insights on preparation and mental focus left a lasting impression on him. He admired the way Kohli prepares for each game, both physically and mentally, and noted that this approach has been immensely helpful in shaping his own game.

Do you see Shubman Gill as the next Virat Kohli for Team India across all formats?

I think Shubman Gill has a legacy of his own. Obviously, he is India's captain in all formats. He is India's vice-captain [in T20Is]. He has the skill set to be the best batter in the world in all formats. He carries himself like a leader. It would be wrong to compare Shubman to the next Virat or anything like that. He will carry the legacy of Indian cricket like Virat Kohli did.

What’s one advice you’ve received from Virat Kohli that sticks with you for a long time?

I haven't had a lot of conversations with Virat. I spoke to him in my first IPL game ever. I spoke to him about a particular shot. His insight about the game, his insight about preparation in your mind was very helpful for me. I feel the way he prepares for his game is very inspiring.