Choosing between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the better captain is a difficult task as both of them are successful leaders in their own right. However, there are certain aspects that can be compared to determine who is a better captain.
Firstly, when it comes to their records as captains, Virat Kohli has a better win percentage in both Tests and ODIs. Under Kohli’s captaincy, the Indian team has won 38 out of 60 Tests (win percentage of 63.33%) and 65 out of 95 ODIs (win percentage of 68.42%). On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has a win percentage of 77.77% in ODIs, having won 19 out of 25 matches as captain. However, he has captained in only 10 Tests, winning 6 and losing 2.
Secondly, Kohli’s aggressive and passionate captaincy style has been instrumental in motivating his team to achieve great results. He leads from the front and his intensity on the field is contagious, inspiring his teammates to give their best. Rohit, on the other hand, has a more relaxed and calm approach to captaincy. He is known for his strategic planning and excellent man-management skills, which have helped him lead Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles.
Thirdly, Kohli’s captaincy has seen India achieve historic victories overseas in Test cricket, which has been a long-standing challenge for the team. Under his leadership, India won their first Test series in Australia in 2018-19, and also won Test series in South Africa and England. Rohit has not had many opportunities to captain the Test side, but he did lead India to a historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21 in the absence of Kohli.
Fourthly, Kohli’s success as a captain can also be attributed to his ability to make bold decisions and back his players. He has shown a willingness to take risks, like promoting himself up the batting order in crucial situations, and has backed young players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to perform at the highest level. Rohit, too, has made some bold decisions as captain, like promoting himself to open the batting in the 2019 World Cup, but his captaincy experience at the international level is still limited.
Lastly, Kohli’s captaincy has had its fair share of controversies, like the heated exchanges with Australian captain Tim Paine in the 2018-19 Test series and the alleged rift with former coach Anil Kumble. Rohit, on the other hand, has had a relatively controversy-free captaincy stint so far.
Final Conclusion on Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma Who is the Better Captain
In conclusion, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are exceptional captains with different styles of leadership. While Kohli’s aggressive approach has yielded great results for India in Test cricket and inspired his team to achieve historic victories overseas, Rohit’s strategic planning and man-management skills have helped him lead Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. Ultimately, choosing between the two as the better captain depends on individual preferences and priorities.
