Team India is preparing to compete in a 5-match Test series in England starting June 20. However, the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has sparked conversations. Both announced their retirement from this format before the series began. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a debate among fans regarding the comparison between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket. Manjrekar has appealed to fans and cricket experts to stop grouping these legends together in Test cricket discussions, as he believes that Kohli stands miles ahead of Rohit in this format.
Rohit Sharma's Career Highlights
Recently, both Rohit and Virat bid farewell to Test cricket ahead of India's upcoming five-test match series against England. Rohit scored 4301 runs in 67 matches, maintaining an average above 40. In contrast, Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 tests, with an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Rohit, on the other hand, scored 12 centuries in Test cricket, with only one hundred scored in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
It is worth noting that their retirement has left a leadership void in the Indian team, now heavily reliant on young players. Meanwhile, fans and commentators often compare the legacies of these two titans, grouping them together. However, Manjrekar believes it's time to change this narrative.
Sanjay Manjrekar's Insight
Sanjay Manjrekar expressed, 'Recently, India's new Test captain Shubman Gill stated that he would feel pressured during the England tour in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. We've even coined the term 'ROKO' for them. I can understand their comparison in limited-overs cricket where they are somewhat comparable. However, even there, it could be debated, but that's for another day. When it comes to Test cricket, there is no comparison. I would not group them together. To substantiate my point, let me share some statistics so you don't just take my word for it.
Manjrekar, now 59, highlighted the impressive records of Kohli, especially in SENA countries. Born in Delhi, Kohli has scored 12 centuries out of 30 tests in SENA countries, while Rohit has only one century in those conditions. Manjrekar further stated that if Kohli had played the England series, his average might have dipped under 40.
‘When it comes to SENA nations, where batsmen face the real test, Kohli has scored 12 centuries. His 30 Test centuries stand out. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has only scored one century in SENA countries - at the Oval Test in England in 2021. Despite over a hundred innings, he has just one century in SENA. His average now stands at 40. If he had played the England series, it might have dipped to below 30,’ he mentioned.
He emphasized that while he can't say for sure, his educated guess leads to this conclusion. So, when it comes to Test cricket, especially red-ball cricket, comparing Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma is unfounded. Adding them to the same bracket in red-ball cricket – I say, put an end to it.
