Shubman Gill has emerged as one of the most dominant figures in modern-day cricket. At just 26, he has already been appointed India’s Test and ODI captain,
and serves as vice-captain in T20Is. His rise has been meteoric, marked by consistency, elegance, and leadership across formats.
Gill made his ODI debut in 2019 against New Zealand, followed by his Test debut in 2020 against Australia. He entered the T20I arena in 2023 against Sri Lanka. Since then, he has amassed 2839 Test runs at an average of 43.01, including a stellar performance in England where he topped the run charts in a five-match series.
In ODIs, he has been even more prolific, scoring 2785 runs at an average of 58.02 and currently holds the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings. While his T20I average of 28.20 is modest, Gill’s adaptability and hunger for runs suggest he is on track to become a dominant all-format player. Here, let us take a look at five players who debuted around the same time as Gill and where they stand today.
Here are 5 Indian players who debuted with Shubman Gill and where they are now
Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar made his ODI debut in 2019, the same year as Gill. While Gill soared, Shankar struggled to make an impact. He was part of India’s 2019 World Cup squad but failed to deliver, scoring just 223 runs in eight innings and taking four wickets in nine matches. His performances were deemed below par, and he gradually faded from the national setup.
In IPL 2025, Shankar was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but failed to impress with the bat. Currently, he plays domestic cricket for Tripura in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26, trying to revive his career away from the spotlight.
Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini debuted in ODIs alongside Gill and featured sporadically across formats, two Tests, eight ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Despite showing promise in the IPL, his international performances lacked consistency. Saini’s pace was exciting, but his inability to maintain control and fitness issues hampered his progress.
As of now, Saini is representing Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26. In the tournament opener against Hyderabad, he failed to pick up a single wicket, highlighting his ongoing struggle to regain form.
T Natarajan
T Natarajan had a dream debut across formats during India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia, playing one Test, two ODIs, and four T20Is. His left-arm angle and yorker accuracy earned praise, but recurring injuries derailed his momentum. Despite being a fan favorite, he could not cement his place in the national team.
In IPL 2025, Natarajan was part of Delhi Capitals (DC) but saw limited action. He was last seen in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), continuing to ply his trade in domestic cricket while hoping for a comeback.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, debuted across formats around the same time as Gill. He has played five Tests, six ODIs, and one T20I, with a respectable Test average of 42.37. However, disciplinary issues and inconsistent performances have kept him out of the national setup.
Currently, Shaw is playing for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy. In the opening match against Kerala, he scored a gritty 75 in the second innings, showing glimpses of his potential. With India’s top-order stacked, Shaw faces stiff competition to reclaim a spot alongside Gill.
Shivam Mavi
Shivam Mavi made his T20I debut alongside Gill in 2023. While Gill rose to vice-captaincy, Mavi struggled to maintain his place. In six T20Is, he picked up seven wickets but was expensive and inconsistent. His IPL form dipped, and he is currently without a franchise.
Mavi is now representing Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. In the first fixture of the 2025/26 season, he managed one wicket and scored 20 runs. At 26, he still has time to turn things around, but it will require standout performances in domestic cricket to catch the selectors’ attention again.
