Can Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant Carry the Legacy of Rohit, Kohli, and Dhoni?

The Indian Cricket Team from 2010 to 2020 enjoyed a golden era, where fans witnessed the brilliance of three modern greats, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni and together, they became the pillars of Indian cricket, dominating all three formats. Kohli owned the number 3 and 4 positions with unmatched consistency, Rohit transformed into a world-class opener, and Dhoni, with his calm presence and finishing ability, gave fans unforgettable moments as both captain and wicket-keeper. For over a decade, they didn’t just win matches as they became an emotion for every Indian cricket fan.

But as time moves forward, so does the game. Dhoni bid farewell in 2020, followed by Rohit and Kohli stepping away from the longest format in 2025, and this left fans wondering, who’s next? Now, a new trio is rising. Yashasvi Jaiswal has shown explosive potential as an opener. Shubman Gill looks solid and dependable in the middle order, while Rishabh Pant brings energy and flair behind the stumps and with the bat. These three youngsters are slowly filling the void left by the legends. The question now is, can they carry the legacy forward? Time will tell, but the signs are promising for Indian cricket’s future.

Is Yashasvi Jaiswal the Next Rohit Sharma?

After starting as an opener in 2013, the one man who dominated at the top was Rohit Sharma. From being a middle-order batter to becoming the most consistent opener in world cricket, Rohit completely transformed his career. Over more than a decade, he has become a legendary figure in Indian cricket. Rohit’s numbers are outstanding across all formats. In Tests, he played 67 matches and scored 4301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 stands as proof of his ability to play long innings in the toughest format. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Rohit Sharma has been a true giant.

Player	Match	Inning	Not Outs	Runs	HS	Avg	Balls	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
Rohit Sharma	499	532	65	19700	264	42.18	22575	87.26	49	108	1901	637
Yashasvi Jaiswal	44*	60	4	2637	214*	47.08	3359	78.50	6	15	308	78

With 11168 runs in 273 matches at an average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80, he became one of the most reliable and feared openers. He has 32 hundreds, including three double centuries and 58 fifties. His top score of 264 remains the highest individual score in ODI history. In T20Is too, he has made his mark with 4231 runs in 159 matches at a strike rate of 140.89, including 5 centuries and 32 fifties. Rohit’s journey as an opener has shaped Indian cricket’s modern success, and with his retirement from Tests and the twilight of his white-ball career nearing, fans are now looking at the next name to carry the baton forward.

Enter Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young, fearless left-hander who has begun to show signs of becoming the next big thing in Indian cricket. Jaiswal’s start to his international career has been impressive, especially in Test cricket. In just 19 matches, he has already scored 1798 runs at a remarkable average of 52.88, which includes 4 centuries and 10 fifties. His highest score of 214 not out shows his temperament and hunger for runs in the red-ball format. What stands out is his consistency and control, something rarely seen in such young players.

In ODIs, he has only played one match so far, but the way he has approached T20Is gives a glimpse of his all-format potential. In 23 T20Is, he has scored 723 runs at a strike rate of 164.31, with one century and five half-centuries. With Rohit Sharma moving on from the longer format and nearing the end of his white-ball career, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks set to take over the role of India’s main opener.

Can Shubman Gill Be the Next King After Virat Kohli?

The best batsman of the generation that saw him rule all the three formats has undoubtedly been Virat Kohli. From making his debut in 2008 to retiring in 2025, Kohli has built a legacy that will be hard to match. Batting mostly at number 3 or 4, he made the position his own with consistent performances year after year. In Tests, he played 123 matches and scored 9230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85. He had 30 centuries and 31 fifties to his name, with a highest score of 254 not out.

Player	Match	Inning	Not Outs	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100s	50s	4s	6s
Virat Kohli	550	617	89	27599	254*	52.27	34856	79.18	82	143	2721	306
Shubman Gill	109*	136	15	5393	208	44.57	6588	81.86	15	25	602	113

Kohli’s real dominance was felt in One Day Internationals, where he played 302 matches and scored a staggering 14181 runs at an average of 57.88 and a strike rate of 93.34. With 51 hundreds and 74 fifties, he finished as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time. In T20 Internationals too, he was consistent with 4188 runs in 125 matches, averaging 48.69 and maintaining a strong strike rate of 137.04. His ability to chase targets, anchor innings, and finish games made him a complete batter in every format of the game.

Now, with Kohli’s retirement, all eyes have turned to Shubman Gill. Seen as one of the brightest young talents in the Indian team, Gill has started showing signs that he could be the next big name in world cricket. In Tests, Gill has already scored 1893 runs from 32 matches at an average of 35.05 with five centuries and seven fifties. In ODIs, he has been even better, scoring 2775 runs in 55 matches at an average of 59.04 and a strike rate close to 100. His highest score of 208 shows that he has the hunger to play big knocks.

In T20Is, Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 matches, including a century and three fifties, with a healthy strike rate of 139.27. Though he still has a long way to go, his performances have shown that he is capable of taking on the responsibility of being India’s main batter.
With the retirement of a giant like Virat Kohli, filling his shoes won’t be easy. But Shubman Gill, with his calm approach, technique, and stroke-making ability, is showing that he has what it takes.

Can Rishabh Pant Truly Replace MS Dhoni as India’s Wicket Keeping Mainstay?

A wicket-keeper batsman who captured a nation’s heart, MS Dhoni transformed Indian cricket from his 2004 debut. Fans knew they’d found a gem behind the stumps. With his cool-headedness, razor-sharp cricketing mind, and thunderous batting, Dhoni rewrote what a keeper could be and He thrived in every format, steadying the ship or smashing match-winning shots. In 90 Tests, he notched 4876 runs at an average of 38.09, with 6 centuries and 33 fifties. His keeping was top-notch, grabbing 256 catches and effecting 38 stumpings.

Player	Match	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	High Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100	50s	4s	6s	Catch	Stumping
MS Dhoni	535	523	141	17092	224	44.74	21695	78.78	15	108	1469	352	621	195
Rishabh Pant	151*	169	20	5162	159*	34.64	5952	86.72	8	23	534	149	216	39

In ODIs, Dhoni’s record is legendary as with 10773 runs in 350 games at a stunning 50.57 average, with 10 tons and 73 fifties. His 321 catches and 123 stumpings made him the ultimate keeper-finisher. In T20Is, he played 98 matches, scoring 1617 runs at 37.60, with 57 catches and 34 stumpings, cementing his iconic status.

Then comes Rishabh Pant, often called Dhoni’s successor, but blazing his trail, especially in Tests. Comparisons aside, Pant’s flair is unmistakable and in 43 Tests, he’s piled up 2948 runs at a cracking 42.11 average, with 6 centuries and 15 fifties. His fearless batting has turned games, and his keeping is solid, with 149 catches and 15 stumpings. Pant’s boldness makes him a Test standout.

In ODIs, Pant’s still finding his groove, scoring 871 runs in 31 matches at 33.50, with one hundred and five fifties. His 106.21 strike rate shows his attacking edge, backed by 27 catches and one stumping. In T20Is, he’s got 1209 runs in 76 games at a 127.26 strike rate, with 40 catches and 11 stumpings. Dhoni’s all-format mastery set a sky-high bar, but Pant’s rise, particularly in Tests, is thrilling, and both have shaped Indian cricket uniquely: Dhoni, the unflappable finisher and leader, and Pant, the daring, modern spark, bringing fresh energy and fearless intent to the game.