Why Virat Kohli Always Leads Rohit Sharma in ODIs: Kaif Reveals the Key Difference
Ex-India star Mohammad Kaif explains why Virat Kohli stays ahead of Rohit Sharma in ODI cricket statistics.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are widely regarded as two of the finest batters in the history of one-day international cricket. Both have defined an era of Indian white-ball dominance with their unique styles and match-winning abilities. While Rohit is admired for his explosive starts and record-breaking big scores, Kohli is celebrated for his consistency, composure, and unmatched success in run chases.
Statistically, Kohli holds a clear edge in the ODI format. He averages close to 59, significantly higher than Rohit’s average of around 49, highlighting his ability to score consistently across conditions and oppositions. Kohli also stands alone in the century charts, having amassed 53 ODI hundreds, compared to Rohit’s 33, despite both playing in similar eras.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes the difference lies in Kohli’s remarkable ability to convert starts into match-defining innings. According to Kaif, Kohli rarely throws away good beginnings and instead builds his innings deep, often staying till the end to secure victories for his team. This conversion rate, Kaif says, is what consistently places Kohli ahead in ODI cricket.
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Kaif also pointed to the contrasting mental approaches of the two batters. Kohli measures his success by how big an impact he makes, often showing visible frustration when he gets out after a start. For him, centuries and finishing games are the benchmark, whereas Rohit, as an opener, focuses more on giving the team early momentum and a strong platform.
Despite these differences, both players remain central to India’s future ambitions. Kohli’s consistency and Rohit’s explosiveness complement each other, making them a formidable duo in white-ball cricket. As they look ahead, their shared goal remains clear—to guide India to glory at the 2027 ODI World Cup and cement their legacies further.
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