Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two giants of Indian cricket. They are the most powerful men in India’s cricketing landscape. Hailed as two best white-ball batsmen in present scenario, Rohit and Kohli have won a lot of games for India. Fortunately for Indian cricket fans, they represent the same country which has given us many memorable moments in limited-overs cricket.
But there is also this constant comparison between these two modern-day greats. After all, both are engaged in pursuit of batting excellence and supremacy. Rohit and Virat are the two highest run-getters in T20 internationals.
Today, we will take a look at different statistical aspects of both Virat and Rohit in T20Is:
Overall T20I record
Rohit Sharma has slammed 2,537 runs in 92 innings, which is most runs by any batsman in T20 internationals. Virat Kohli is the second highest run-getter with 2,450 runs in 67 innings. Rohit has 87 runs more than Virat but he has also played 25 more innings than the Indian skipper. Rohit averages 32.52, which is lower to Kohli’s remarkable average of 50. Rohit Sharma (138.10) has superior strike-rate than Virat Kohli (135.28) but marginally.
Hundred Conversion and Six hitting ability
Rohit Sharma has four hundreds in T20Is, which is the most by any batsman in the format while Kohli is yet to reach the three-figure mark. One can argue that opening the batting gives Rohit more chances to bat long and score big in comparison to Virat Kohli, who bats at no.3 but then there are batsmen who have scored centuries batting at even lower positions than Kohli. For instance, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has scored three T20I centuries. But when it comes to 50-plus scores, both batsmen are on equal terms. Virat has 22 fifties to his credit. On the other hand, Rohit has 18 fifties to go with four hundreds. Both batsmen have 22 fifty-plus scores in T20Is.
Rohit Sharma has hit most number of sixes (115) in T20 internationals. Virat has smashed 58 sixes in T20Is. But despite not being a big six-hitter, Kohli’s strike-rate (135.28) is healthy and not too far behind Rohit (138.10), which is commendable.
Home and Away records
Virat Kohli has played 26 T20Is in India, hammering 881 runs at a brilliant average of 46.36 and strike-rate of 145.61. Rohit Sharma has featured in 33 T20Is scoring 832 runs at 28.68 with a strike-rate of 146.99. Rohit has made three centuries out his tally of four at home.
When it comes to matches outside India, Rohit Sharma (1,705) has more runs than Kohli (1,569). But he has played 19 more innings than Virat. The Indian limited-overs vice-captain has an average of 34.79, which is a lot less than Virat, who averages 52.30 away from home. However, Rohit’s strike-rate of 134.14 is better than Kohli’s 130.09.
Contribution in winning games
Virat Kohli, who is one of the biggest match-winners in world cricket, averages 61.92 with a strike-rate of 132.59 in Indian wins. In comparison, Rohit Sharma has averaged 41.58 in India’s victories but his strike-rate of 141.15 is much better than the Indian skipper.
Setting up totals
Rohit Sharma has 1,431 runs in comparison to Virat’s 1,069 runs when it comes to batting first. The elegant Indian opener averages 36.69 and has a strike-rate of 145.13, which is better than Virat Kohli. Kohli averages 33.4 and has a strike-rate of 138.1 while batting first.
Chasing
Virat Kohli has earned innumerous accolades as one of the greatest chasers the game has ever seen. Virat Kohli’s average shoots up to an enormous 81.23 in chases from 33.4 while batting first. Rohit sets up totals better. He is inferior by a country mile in comparison to Kohli, when it comes to chasing. Rohit averages 28.35 and his strike-rate falls from 145.13 to 129.96 batting second. Kohli’s strike-rate in chases has been 133.17. When it comes to successful run-chases, Kohli roars like a king and averages a mind-boggling 111.5 with a strike-rate of 131.48. There isn’t a notable difference in Rohit’s performances even in successful chases.
Performance in T20 World Cup
There is no bigger stage and test of a player’s skills and abilities than the ICC T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma has 673 runs in 25 innings at an average close to 40 and strike-rate of 127.22 in T20 WCs. But there is a daylight difference between Kohli and Rohit, which speaks volumes about the Indian skipper. Kohli has 777 runs in 16 innings with nine fifties, an average of 86.33 and a strike-rate of 133.04. Virat Kohli was named the Player-of-the-Tournament in last two editions (2014 and 2016) of the T20 World Cup.
Final Verdict
Virat Kohli’s dominance in T20 internationals has been remarkable and undoubtedly, he is better than Rohit Sharma in the shortest version of the game.
**STATS UPDATED TILL 8TH NOVEMBER 2019