Why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Were Never True Rivals?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Source: AFP)India is indeed a cricket-loving country, but more than that, it loves cricketers. In the midst of it, two of India’s most celebrated cricketers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, famously known as ‘Ro-Ko’, have consistently fueled the grand spectacle of the sport.Their journey, spanning more than a decade, has been a mix of successes and captivating moments. However, the two superstars have also experienced a fair share of controversies that time and again overshadowed their camaraderie.Why did the Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma rivalry narrative become so big?For the unversed, the rivalry was never between the two batters. Rather, the Ro-Ko rift exploded due to the collision of massive, fiercely loyal fan bases, a power struggle over the limited-overs captaincy in 2021, and the media’s tendency to amplify dressing-room gossip whenever the Indian team suffered defeats in major ICC tournaments.The speculations regarding a rift between the two Indian legends stem from a few notable events in Indian cricket.2019 World Cup rumours:Following India’s exit from the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, multiple news outlets reported a divide in the dressing rooms, claiming the team had split into two sides: one supporting Kohli (then captain) and the other supporting Sharma (the vice-captain).This was later confirmed by former fielding coach R. Sridhar in his book, Coaching Beyond: My Days with the Indian Cricket Team.Reportedly, it was also learnt that the dispute stemmed from the two’s different stance on MS Dhoni’s batting position and Mohammad Shami’s ouster, despite a brilliant performance in previous outings.Virat Kohli’s public display of frustration over Rohit’s injury:Ahead of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Test series in Australia, the then captain Virat publicly expressed frustration over a “lack of clarity” regarding Sharma’s hamstring injury.He revealed that the team management was kept in the dark and was playing a “waiting game” to see when Rohit would be available.Also read: Players Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma In India's World Cup 2027 SquadKohli said, “He was unavailable for selection. That was the information we got on mail before the selection meeting. After that he played in the IPL, so we all thought he would be on that flight to Australia, which he wasn't. And we had no information whatsoever on the reason on why he is not traveling with us."Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were solving different problemsWhat did Virat Kohli bring to the table?Kohli’s ascension in the cricketing world has been nothing short of meteoric. Hailing from Delhi, he catapulted to international stardom in 2008. His exceptional batting prowess, coupled with a relentless and passionate approach, established him as one of the finest contemporary batters.He is widely regarded as one of the greatest run-chasers in cricket history, holding the record for the most runs in successful ODI run chases (over 6,000 runs) with a staggering average near 90.00.Kohli also revolutionised Indian cricket by making elite physical fitness and strict dietary discipline a non-negotiable. Moreover, his drive enhanced India’s overseas competitiveness, transforming the team into a fierce, pace-dominant unit capable of winning in demanding conditions. How did Rohit Sharma leave an impact?In a parallel journey, Rohit Sharma, with his graceful strokeplay and flamboyant style, won the hearts. He brought a unique "two-gear" approach. He played cautiously early on, then shifted into aggressive mode as the innings progressed, making him the fastest player to 9,000 ODI runs as an opener and allowing him to achieve three double centuries.On top of that, under his calm and astute leadership, India ended a 13-year ICC trophy drought by winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and following it with an unbeaten championship run in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.Why should their legacy be discussed together, not separately?Safe to say, the two legends’ legacies should be discussed together, as they are the twin pillars of a golden era in modern Indian cricket. Their contrasting styles- Kohli’s fiery aggression and Rohit’s calm, effortless elegance- perfectly complemented each other to dominate world cricket for over a decade.The Kohli-Rohit debate lasted for years because fans kept asking who was better. Indian cricket benefited because it never had to choose. Both served as successful captains with contrasting but highly effective approaches. Kohli instilled a warrior-like fitness and aggressive mentality, while Rohit brought strategic calmness and tactical brilliance. What did the two legends have to say on the speculated rift?Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have consistently emphasised their strong bond and mutual respect, dispelling the rumours.In December 2021, Kohli rubbished reports of a rift with Rohit, saying that "there are no issues" between the two."Between me and Rohit, I have already addressed this on several occasions, there is no problem at all," Kohli said. "Honestly from the last two or two-and-a-half years I have been clarifying regularly and I am now tired clarifying this point that because that question is repeatedly asked of me. I can say one thing with guarantee that any action of mine, any communication, won't be to put the team down till I play cricket. That's my commitment to Indian cricket."Similarly, Rohit has also dismissed rumours of a dispute, frequently lashing out at speculative media reports. Notably, in February 2022, Rohit slammed the media, saying, "If you guys (journalists) can keep it quiet for a while, everything will fall into place."Also read: Younis Khan As Pakistan's New Head Coach? Mohsin Naqvi Drops Official Update