Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Who is the Better Test Captain?
On this day in December 2014, Virat Kohli began his journey as India’s Test captain. With no prior experience in the format, Kohli took charge. He transformed India into one of the world’s best teams. Over the next seven years, he etched his name as one of the greatest Test captains in cricket history.
In contrast, Rohit Sharma’s Test captaincy has had a mixed start since he took over from Kohli after the 2021-22 South Africa series. He led India to the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) finals. But, poor away results and a shocking home series loss to New Zealand marred his tenure.
With Kohli’s captaincy anniversary approaching, let’s compare his and a rival’s records, achievements, and leadership styles to find the better Test captain.
Virat Kohli’s Record as Test Captain
As India’s Test captain, Virat Kohli won 40 of 68 matches. His win percentage of 58.82% is among the highest in cricket history.
Key Achievements Under Kohli:
- ICC Rankings: Took India from 7th to 1st position in the ICC Test rankings.
- Home and Away Dominance: Won historic series at home and away, including in Australia and England.
- Aggressive Captaincy: He is known for his bold decisions. He relentlessly pushes for victories, even in tough times.
Kohli’s reign brought results. It also instilled a winning mindset in the team. He prioritized fitness, aggression, and the ability to thrive under pressure.
Rohit Sharma’s Record as Test Captain
Rohit Sharma’s tenure as India’s Test captain began in 2022, but the sample size is considerably smaller. He has captained India in 22 matches, winning 12 and losing 8, with a win percentage of 54%.
Key Highlights Under Rohit:
- 2023 WTC Finals: Led India to the finals but fell short of securing the title.
- Inconsistent Away Record: They have one SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) win—against South Africa.
- Home Struggles: India’s invincible home record took a hit, with a shocking 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand.
Rohit has been a great leader in white-ball cricket. But, his Test captaincy lacks the consistency and dominance of Kohli’s.
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Difference in Captaincy Styles
Virat Kohli: The Aggressive Leader
Kohli defines his captaincy style with his aggression and proactive approach. He believed in taking risks to win. He often pushed for results, even in tough conditions. His careful planning and ability to inspire his team made him a force in Test cricket.
Rohit Sharma: The Calm and Composed Leader
In contrast, Rohit has a more laid-back and reactive captaincy style. This approach works in limited-overs formats. But, it often fails in the demanding Test arena. Rohit’s slow adjustment when Plan A fails has been a recurring issue, as seen in the recent Adelaide Test.
Who is the Better Test Captain?
Records, leadership styles, and impact show Virat Kohli is the better Test captain. He changed India’s approach to Test cricket. He built a team that excelled at home and abroad.
Rohit Sharma’s white-ball captaincy credentials are clear. But, he has yet to prove himself as a leader in Tests. Until then, the legacy of India’s greatest Test captain belongs to Virat Kohli. He must replicate Kohli’s success and address his flaws.
