Did KKR Miss a Golden Opportunity by Releasing Shubman Gill?

The Indian cricket team has been blessed to have an opener like Shubman Gill who has the ability to give the Indian team an amazing start. Such was the blessing with the Kolkata Knight Riders too till the year 2021, but after that, the franchise decided to release the future star Shubman Gill, who then went on to play for the Gujarat Titans and is now the captain of the team. In the match against his former franchise KKR, Gill once again showed why letting him go was a costly mistake, playing a sensational knock that formed the backbone of GT’s imposing total of 198 for 3.

Opening the innings, Shubman Gill walked out with intent and composure. He played a captain’s knock, scoring a stunning 90 off just 55 balls, anchoring the innings while also keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk rate. His innings was a perfect blend of elegance and aggression, featuring 10 crisp boundaries and 3 well-timed sixes. With a strike rate of 163.63, Gill dominated the KKR bowlers, finding gaps at will and punishing every loose delivery.

Gill’s partnership with Sai Sudharsan set the tone early on. The duo added a commanding 114 runs for the first wicket in just 12.2 overs, laying a solid foundation for a big total. Gill took charge after Sudharsan’s dismissal, continuing to accelerate the innings. His stroke play against pace and spin alike was top-notch, particularly his drives and pulls, which left the KKR fielders with no answers.

What stood out was Gill’s maturity in pacing his innings. He started steady, absorbing the early pressure, and then switched gears seamlessly to put the bowlers on the back foot. He targeted Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine with smart placement, and handled Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana’s pace with calculated aggression. Gill eventually fell in the 18th over, caught by Venkatesh Iyer off Arora while attempting another big shot. But by then, the damage had been done. 

How Shubman Gill Has Performed in the IPL Season by Season?

Being one of the youngest players to make a mark in the IPL, Shubman Gill has steadily evolved into one of the tournament’s most consistent performers. In 111 matches, he has scored 3521 runs at an impressive average of 38.27 and a healthy strike rate of 137.06. His tally includes 4 centuries and 23 fifties, with a highest score of 129. Gill has also struck 343 fours and 104 sixes, showcasing his ability to score both fluently and aggressively. With 40 catches to his name as well, Gill has been a complete package and continues to shine in the league.

Shubman Gill for KKR in IPL

Shubman Gill started off his Indian Premier League career with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 after being bought for INR 1.8 crore. Coming into the squad as a highly-rated young talent, Gill was initially slotted into the middle order. However, it didn’t take long for the team management to recognize his potential at the top, and soon, he was promoted to open the innings, a move that significantly shaped his growth as a batter in the IPL. 

In his debut season in 2018, Gill played 13 matches and scored 203 runs at an average of 33.83 with a strike rate of 146.04. Despite batting mostly in the middle order, he managed a fifty and gave glimpses of his talent. The following year, in 2019, he featured in 14 matches and made 296 runs at an average of 32.88, which included three fifties. His top score of 76 came as an opener and displayed his ability to anchor an innings. The 2020 season saw Gill become a regular opener for KKR. He scored 440 runs in 14 games with a solid average of 33.84. 

Although his strike rate was modest at 117.96, he contributed consistently at the top and provided stability to the batting lineup. In 2021, he continued as KKR’s opener and played all 17 matches of the season, accumulating 478 runs with three half-centuries, though his average dipped to 28.11. Across four seasons with KKR, from 2018 to 2021, Shubman Gill scored 1417 runs in 58 matches, steadily developing into a dependable top-order batter. Despite being a reliable and young player, the Kolkata Knight Riders failed to retain him. 

Shubman Gill for Gujarat Titans in IPL

Once the Gujarat Titans acquired Shubman Gill ahead of the 2022 season, the young opener quickly evolved into the backbone of their batting unit. In their debut season, Gill played a pivotal role in helping the Titans lift the IPL trophy. He scored 483 runs in 16 matches at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 132.33, including four half-centuries. His ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed made him a key contributor in crucial moments throughout the tournament. Gill’s real breakthrough, however, came in the 2023 season. He dominated the tournament with the bat, scoring a massive 890 runs in 17 matches at a staggering average of 59.33 and an explosive strike rate of 157.80. 

He notched up three centuries and four half-centuries, including a career-best 129, and deservedly won the Orange Cap as the season’s top run-scorer. His consistency and maturity at the top of the order helped Gujarat once again reach the final, confirming his transformation into one of the league’s most elite performers. In 2024, Gill took on the added responsibility of captaincy. Despite the pressure, he remained a reliable performer, scoring 426 runs in 12 games at an average of 38.73 and a strike rate of 147.40. 

He hit one century and two fifties, proving that leadership had not dulled his edge with the bat. Even in a season where the Titans faced ups and downs, Gill’s individual brilliance stood out. Continuing into the 2025 season, Gill has already amassed 305 runs from 8 matches with a healthy average of 43.57 and a strike rate over 150. From a promising youngster to a captain and match-winner, Shubman Gill’s journey with Gujarat Titans has been nothing short of remarkable.