Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli: Who is Better? Batting & Captaincy Comparison

By: Cricbites | September 17, 2025

Indian cricket has always been full of talented players. And that is why we fans often debate who is the best. This has been going on among fans for years and now it has reached two iconic players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. We know that both have shattered the hopes of billions of people, broken records and carved their place among the greatest cricketers of all time. But still a question arises from their respective fans that who is the best?

Virat is known as the “King” of consistency, while Rohit is called the “Hitman” for his smooth stroke play. So, let’s know about it through this blog post, where we will go deep into their batting records, playing styles and captaincy achievements.

Early Career Journeys

Virat Kohli made his debut for India in 2008, known for his aggression, fitness and never-give-up attitude. He quickly established himself as India’s best batsman in the chase and became the backbone of the team across all formats.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma made his debut in 2007. Initially inconsistent, he was often criticised for not living up to his potential. However, his career changed when he was promoted to opener in 2013. As it is from here he became one of the most destructive white-ball batsmen in the world.

Both had different paths of development, but today they stand as legends.

Batting Comparison

Virat Kohli: The Run Machine

Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, especially in ODIs and T20Is.
Known for his unmatched chasing ability, he has over 70 international centuries. And also, he is the only behind Sachin Tendulkar in terms of centuries scored.
His technique, consistency, and fitness make him a nightmare for bowlers.
Kohli’s ODI average is among the highest in history, while in Tests, he has multiple double centuries to his name.

Rohit Sharma: The Hitman

Rohit Sharma is the only player in the world to have scored three double centuries in ODIs, a record that defines his destructive power.
In T20Is, he has the most centuries (5), proving his dominance in the shortest format.
He is also the highest individual scorer in ODI history with his legendary 264 vs Sri Lanka in 2014.
Unlike Kohli’s consistency, Rohit’s strength lies in playing mammoth innings once he settles.

Batting Verdict:

Kohli is more consistent across formats and is the better chaser.
Rohit, however, is the more explosive opener, with a higher ability to destroy bowling attacks once set.

Records Across Formats (Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli):

Virat Kohli:

Format	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR
Tests	123	11	175	84	0	–	–	–	2.88	–
ODIs	302	50	662	680	5	1/13	1/13	136.00	6.16	132.4
T20Is	125	13	152	204	4	1/13	1/13	51.00	8.05	38.0
FC	156	25	643	338	3	1/19	2/42	112.66	3.15	214.3
List A	336	57	726	741	5	1/13	1/13	148.20	6.12	145.2
T20s	414	45	460	667	8	2/25	2/25	83.37	8.70	57.5

Rohit Sharma:

Format	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w
Tests	67	16	383	224	2	1/26	1/35	112.00	3.50	191.5	0
ODIs	273	40	610	533	9	2/27	2/27	59.22	5.24	67.7	0
T20Is	159	9	68	113	1	1/22	1/22	113.00	9.97	68.0	0
FC	129	70	2153	1542	44	4/41	5/85	48.08	3.21	89.7	1
List A	344	72	1384	1180	31	4/28	4/28	38.06	5.11	44.6	1
T20s	463	59	635	830	29	4/6	4/6	28.62	7.84	21.8	1

Here we can see that, it is Kohli who dominates in total runs and centuries, while Rohit shines with unique records like most double tons in ODIs.

Further Reading: MS Dhoni vs Rohit Sharma: Who is Better? Batting & Captaincy Comparison

Captaincy Comparison

Virat Kohli as Captain

Took over as India’s full-time captain in 2017 across formats.
Led India to the 2018 Test series win in Australia, a historic first.
Known for his aggressive style, fitness culture, and never backing down.
However, Kohli couldn’t win an ICC trophy during his captaincy tenure despite reaching several semifinals and finals.

Rohit Sharma as Captain

Rohit has been a highly successful IPL captain, winning 5 IPL titles with Mumbai Indians.
Took over India’s captaincy in 2021-22 and led India to the 2023 Asia Cup title and the final of ODI World Cup 2023.
Under Rohit, India won the T20 World Cup 2024, ending a long ICC trophy drought.
His calm and composed leadership style has been praised by players and fans alike.

Captaincy Verdict:

Kohli was a great leader who built a fearless Test side, but Rohit has been more successful in winning titles.
In ICC events, Rohit edges ahead with silverware.

Playing Styles: Contrasting Approaches

Virat Kohli thrives on intensity. He uses classic cricket shots, relies on fitness, and dominates bowlers with a calculated approach. His aggressive personality reflects in his batting.
Rohit Sharma is more effortless. His timing, elegance, and ability to clear boundaries with minimal effort make him one of the most stylish batters. Rohit can switch gears like no other once he gets past his initial cautious phase.

Impact in IPL

Virat Kohli has been the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the beginning. He is the highest run-scorer in IPL history, with over 7500+ runs, but has not yet won an IPL trophy.
Rohit Sharma has not only scored heavily but also led Mumbai Indians to 5 IPL trophies, making him one of the most successful IPL captains.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Consistency: Kohli has the edge with averages across formats.
Explosiveness: Rohit is the more destructive batter once set.
Captaincy: Rohit leads in terms of ICC trophies and IPL titles.
Fitness & Aggression: Kohli set new standards for Indian cricket.
Elegance & Timing: Rohit’s batting is often described as pure art.

Conclusion

The Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli debate is about appreciating two iconic cricketers who have defined Indian cricket in the last ten years. If you want consistency, passion and record-breaking chases, then Virat Kohli is your man. If you want style, explosiveness and a proven captain in big tournaments, then Rohit Sharma takes the crown. These two complement each other beautifully, and Indian cricket is truly lucky to have their dominance together. Rather than comparing, perhaps the real win is that fans got to witness Kohli’s grit and Rohit’s brilliance in the same era.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who has more centuries between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?

Virat Kohli has over 78 international centuries to his name, while Rohit Sharma has 47+ centuries to his name, making Kohli the leader in this regard.

Q2. Who is better in ICC tournaments, Kohli or Rohit?

Kohli has been consistent in ICC tournaments, while Rohit has led India to trophies like the Asia Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024. This gives him an edge as a captain in big events.

Q3. Who is the better IPL player: Rohit or Kohli?

Kohli is the highest run-scorer in IPL history, but Rohit has 5 IPL titles to his name as captain. So, Kohli dominates individually, while Rohit shines in leadership success.

Q4. Why is Rohit Sharma called “Hitman”?

Rohit got the nickname “Hitman” because he could hit big sixes with ease. This is his record-breaking double century in ODIs.

Q5. Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire together?

While both are in their mid-30s, retirement decisions depend on fitness and form. It is possible that they could retire around the same time, but no official indication has been given.