The cricketing world often loves its debates — especially when it involves two modern Indian giants: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While both have left indelible marks in international cricket, a new voice has weighed in sharply on where the two legends stand when it comes to the red-ball format — and that voice belongs to Sanjay Manjrekar.
In a no-holds-barred video shared on his Instagram, Manjrekar has urged fans, analysts, and media to stop clubbing Kohli and Rohit together when talking about Test cricket. His reasoning? The numbers, the overseas performances, and the elite consistency of Kohli in challenging conditions — especially in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
The Stats: Kohli Towers Over Rohit in Tests
Let’s begin with the raw numbers. Virat Kohli played 123 Test matches, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries to his name. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma played 67 Tests, scored 4301 runs at an average slightly above 40, and hit 12 centuries.
But the key point, as Manjrekar stressed, isn’t just about aggregates — it's about where those runs came from.
Kohli’s Dominance in SENA Countries
Sanjay Manjrekar specifically highlighted Kohli’s performance in SENA nations, calling it the true litmus test for any red-ball batter.
“When it comes to SENA countries — the true test of a batter — Virat Kohli has got 12 hundreds,” said Manjrekar. “Rohit Sharma? Just one. That too in 2021, at The Oval.”
Indeed, Kohli’s overseas centuries — gritty tons in Australia, masterclasses in England, and fighting knocks in South Africa — have defined his stature as a world-class red-ball player. Rohit, while majestic on Indian tracks, has largely struggled to replicate the same success in foreign conditions.
A Gentle Dig: “Rohit’s Average Would’ve Dropped to the 30s”
Perhaps the most debated comment came when Manjrekar speculated that had Rohit toured England for the current five-Test series, his average might have dipped below 40.
“I dare say, had he gone to England, that average would’ve dropped into the 30s. That’s my educated guess,” he said.
While this claim can’t be proven or disproven, it reflects the former cricketer’s long-standing stance on Rohit’s vulnerabilities in overseas red-ball conditions.
“Ro-Ko” Works in ODIs, Not in Tests
Manjrekar also took issue with the media’s tendency to lump the two stars together under the popular nickname “Ro-Ko.”
“I can understand it in white-ball cricket; there’s some comparison. But in red-ball cricket, absolutely no comparison. Please stop that. Roko, stop that.”
He emphasized that while Rohit and Virat may both be icons in ODI and T20 formats, Test cricket demands a different level of consistency, adaptability, and grit — qualities Kohli has demonstrated far more often.
Fans React: Divided Opinions
Unsurprisingly, the statement has polarized fans.
Supporters of Manjrekar’s view pointed out that Kohli has carried India’s batting overseas for nearly a decade, often standing tall while others around him collapsed. Others, however, felt that the statement was unnecessarily dismissive of Rohit’s achievements, especially considering his late resurgence in red-ball cricket.
Some even argued that Kohli, too, had endured lean patches in Tests — most notably during the 2020-2021 phase. Still, few could deny that when it comes to century count and overseas success, Kohli’s record is hard to challenge.
Retirement Leaves a Void in India’s Test Side
With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Tests before the England tour, India’s current squad — led by Shubman Gill — enters a transitional phase. Young batters will now shoulder the responsibility of continuing India’s strong Test legacy abroad.
Interestingly, it was Gill’s comment about missing the experience of Rohit and Virat that prompted Manjrekar’s outburst in the first place. Clearly, the impact these two players have had — albeit at different levels — still resonates deeply in the dressing room.
Final Word: Two Legends, Different Test Legacies
There’s no doubt that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are legends of Indian cricket. But as Sanjay Manjrekar rightly points out, not all legends are built the same — especially in Test cricket.
Rohit’s strength lies in his majestic strokeplay, calm temperament, and dominance in white-ball formats. Kohli’s greatness, on the other hand, shines brightest in the grind of Test cricket — in foreign lands, under pressure, with the red ball swinging under gray skies.
And that, perhaps, is the essence of this debate: appreciating both players without forcing unnecessary comparisons. Or in Manjrekar’s words — “Roko. Stop that.”
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