Cricket in India is more than just a sport, it’s a religion infused with passion, drama, and unrelenting excitement. At the heart of this grand spectacle stand two titans, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose careers have been a fusion of triumphs, controversies, and a deeply compelling camaraderie. (Photos: AFP)
Updated on : 24 February,2025 12:00 PM IST | Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar
During Sunday's high-stakes India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy match, as Kohli inched closer to a century, Rohit animatedly encouraged him to seal it in style. Kohli obliged, smashing a final four, while Rohit’s sheer delight overshadowed even Kohli’s celebration. With this landmark, Kohli became the third and fastest cricketer to reach 14,000 ODI runs, reinforcing his legendary status
Post-match, Rohit lauded Kohli’s brilliance: "Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today. People sitting inside the dressing room are not surprised with what he did."
Kohli’s meteoric rise from Delhi’s cricketing backstreets to global dominance has been fueled by unwavering discipline, an insatiable hunger for runs, and an aggressive leadership style that reshaped Indian cricket’s mentality. Meanwhile, Rohit, with his effortless strokeplay and a penchant for mammoth scores, carved out his own legacy, guiding the Mumbai Indians to multiple IPL titles and establishing himself as a premier tactician
Their camaraderie, nurtured during their early IPL days with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has stood the test of time. Whether strategizing on the field or celebrating off it, their bond extends beyond cricket
Their families, too, share a close relationship, further reinforcing their connection. Yet, their journey hasn’t been devoid of turbulence.
Speculation over rifts and selection disputes has often threatened to overshadow their on-field excellence, reaching a crescendo during the 2022 T20 World Cup debacle, which raised questions about team cohesion
Despite media-fueled controversies, Kohli and Rohit remain the backbone of Indian cricket. Their healthy rivalry pushes them to scale greater heights, whether it’s competing for batting records or leading India to victories
Their on-field heroics and leadership have defined an era in Indian cricket, and their collective contributions far outweigh the off-field speculations.
The cricketing world eagerly watches as these two stalwarts continue their journey, united by their love for the game and their shared dream of Indian cricketing supremacy. In the end, it’s their brilliance on the field, not the noise outside it, that cements their legacy
