Why are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill trending together on social media?

India’s young batting sensation Shubman Gill and Pakistan’s Babar Azam were trending across social media platforms on Wednesday, February 19, after Gill surpassed Babar to become the No. 1 batter in the latest ICC ODI rankings. This change at the top of the rankings has taken social media by storm with many engaging in discussions and comparisons on two players.

Gill has become one of India's trusted batters in the ODI format. His recent performances in the ODI series against England played a crucial role in his rankings. Scoring a century and two half-centuries, the Punjab batter scored 259 runs at an average of 86.33 and received the Player of the Series award.

His brilliance not only guided India to a 3-0 series victory but also helped him surpass the Pakistan batter in the rankings. The latest update sees Gill with 796 rating points, while Babar, who had long held the top spot, has slipped to second with 773 points.

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It's a major shake-up at the top of the rankings: ICC

This is not the first time the right-hand batter has toppled the former Pakistani skipper. During the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the young right-hander briefly held the No. 1 ranking before the veteran took it back. Interestingly, this latest ranking change was made just ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“It's a major shake-up at the top of the rankings just before the start of the Champions Trophy and leaves an interesting sub-plot to what will transpire over the coming weeks during the eight-team tournament in Pakistan and Dubai. This is the second time Gill has held the No.1 ranking in ODI cricket, with the India batter having also gone past Babar to claim the top spot midway through the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023,” the ICC said.

Meanwhile, Pakistani supporters on social media argued that their star batter's long-standing command in the rankings makes him the more complete player, while Indian fans stressed Gill’s recent form and match-winning performances. 

Furthermore, Gill is currently preparing for India’s first game of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, while Babar is set to play in the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. Both, India and Pakistan who are placed in the same group will lock horns in Dubai on February 23.