Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma – Who is Better? Batting and Captaincy Comparison

Both V. Kohli and R. Sharma were Under-19 stars earmarked for bigger things. Rohit won a T20 World Cup with India in 2007, a year before Kohli even got his first cap. But it was Kohli that quickly became an integral part of India’s batting line-up, and the leader of a new generation. It was Kohli that helped India win a World Cup on home soil in 2011, and then established himself as the best all-format batter in the world after taking over the Test captaincy from Dhoni.

Both Virat and Rohit will be seen in action during the Indian T20 League 2024 . Make your fantasy cricket team on Howzat and become a part of this exciting cricket series.  

Rohit took much longer to become part of the XI in each format, and though he smashed a host of white-ball batting records – including for the highest score in ODIs (264) – it’s only in the last half-decade that he’s become a regular on the Test team. 

Here, we compare Rohit and Virat across the all formats (Test, ODIs, and T20) and see who has left a bigger imprint on Indian cricket history.

Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma in Test Cricket

This is one area where there simply isn’t any comparison. Rohit has excelled in recent times, while Kohli’s form slumped a little since 2019, but there’s a world of difference in their overall Test career numbers. Kohli has played more than twice as many matches (113 to 59), scored nearly 5,000 more runs, and made 29 centuries in the longest format of the game with an average just a touch under 50. 

Virat vs Rohit Stats Comparison in Test

Rohit has made 10 hundreds in Tests, though, tellingly only 2 of them has come outside India. His career average of 45.57 is built largely on an incredible home record. In 24 Tests in India, he averages 66.73. Kohli, who has 15 away hundreds, including 6 in Australia, averages 60.05 at home.

Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma in ODIs

The debate is a much closer one in the 50-overs arena. Rohit has crossed 200 on 3 occasions, including that incredible 173-ball 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. Kohli’s highest score is 183, but his average is a frankly stupendous 58.70 after 279 innings. Rohit averages an imposing 49.13, but that’s still nearly 10 runs an innings less than Kohli.

When it comes to strike-rate too, Kohli nudges ahead, scoring nearly 2.5 runs more per 100 balls – 93.58 to 91.97. Both players have saved their best for the most dominant team in ODI history, with 8 hundreds each against Australia.

Virat vs Rohit Stats Comparison in ODI

Virat vs Rohit in T20Is

In T20 cricket, Rohit and Virat are considered two of the all-time greats. This is the format where Rohit has had so much success in the Indian T20 League, but when it comes to international cricket, Kohli is once again the dominator. 

At first glance, you might think otherwise, given that Rohit has a record 5 international hundreds in T20s, compared to Kohli’s one. But Virat Kohli’s average is way superior – 51.75 to 31.79. Rohit has a marginally better strike rate, but Kohli’s consistency has been nothing short of mind-boggling. He was player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup in both 2014 and 2016. 

R. Sharma vs V. Kohli Stats Comparison in T20Is

Even when it comes to the T20 format, Kohli has more runs at a better average, and more 50-plus scores. Rohit has scored more centuries, and a slightly better strike rate.

Virat vs Rohit Stats Comparison in IPL

V. Kohli, despite holding the single-season record for the most runs (973 in 2016), has never won the Indian T20 League title, while Rohit has led the Mumbai team to the trophy on 5 occasions since 2013.

Also read: Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli

FAQs

Who is Better Batsman Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli?

In the ongoing comparison between Virat and Rohit, Virat Kohli holds an edge over Rohit Sharma,, having scored more centuries and maintained higher batting averages in all three formats (Test, ODI, & T20) of the game.

Who is Better Captain Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma?

It is hard to say who is the better captain, Kohli or Sharma. Kohli has a better overall record, but Sharma has been more successful lately. It is up to each person to decide who they think is the better captain.