The debate between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma often dominates cricket discussions, especially with fans coining the term “RoKo” to celebrate their partnership. While the comparison makes sense in white-ball formats, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that equating the two in Test cricket is misleading.
Kohli’s Dominance in SENA Countries
Virat Kohli’s legacy in Test cricket is firmly established. The 36-year-old finished his red-ball career with an impressive 9,230 runs, including centuries in all the SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. With 30 Test centuries to his name, including 12 in those overseas conditions, Kohli proved himself in the toughest environments.
Manjrekar highlighted these accomplishments to emphasize that Kohli passed the ultimate litmus test for any batter: performing in challenging foreign conditions. “When it comes to red-ball cricket, there’s absolutely no comparison between the two,” he said. “And I will never ever put them in the same bracket.”
Rohit Sharma’s Limited Red-Ball Impact Abroad
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma, who retired at 38, struggled to replicate his white-ball brilliance in the Test arena, especially away from home. He ended his career with a Test average of 40.57, scoring 3,677 runs and 10 centuries. However, only one of those centuries came in SENA countries—against England at The Oval in 2021.
Despite showing consistency on Indian pitches, where he averaged 51.73 with most of his centuries, his performances abroad raised eyebrows. His last Test series in Australia saw him average a dismal 6.20. Prior to that, he struggled even at home, averaging just 15.16 against New Zealand and 10.50 against Bangladesh.
Manjrekar didn’t hold back in his assessment: “Had he continued playing or gone to England, that average would have dropped into the 30s. That’s my educated guess.”
The Final Verdict
While Rohit Sharma remains one of India’s greatest white-ball cricketers, his red-ball legacy doesn’t match that of Kohli. The former India captain not only scored consistently at home but also conquered the toughest conditions overseas—something very few batters manage in their careers.
So when it comes to Test cricket, the verdict is clear: Virat Kohli stands in a league of his own. As Manjrekar summed it up, “This comparison in red-ball cricket between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—please, Roko, stop that.”
