Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma? Who had the best Test career?
Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on 7 May 2025, just five days after which on 12 May, Virat Kohli made an emotional post on Instagram and announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. This decision of both the legends surprised the cricket world. Rohit and Virat’s Test retirement came just before the England tour, which is scheduled to start on June 20.
According to reports, Rohit and Virat have decided to retire from Tests due to not reaching the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25 and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s request to include new faces in the team before the upcoming cycle. Because both the legends had talked about performing brilliantly on the England tour just a few months ago.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma said goodbye to the shortest format of the game after the team’s brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. That is, now both will be seen playing for India only in ODIs. Meanwhile, let us tell you through this article how was the performance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Test format? And who had the best career? Explains
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli made his Test debut for India in 2011. He has played 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma debuted in Tests in 2013. He has represented India in 67 matches and has scored 4301 runs.
Stats
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | |
---|---|---|
Played From – To | 2011 – 2025 | 2013 – 2024 |
Matches | 123 | 67 |
Innings | 210 | 116 |
Runs | 9,230 | 4,301 |
Highest Score | 254* | 212 |
Average | 46.85 | 40.57 |
100s | 30 | 12 |
50s | 31 | 18 |
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Performance Home and Away
Virat Kohli has scored 4336 runs at an average of 55.58 at home and 4774 runs at an average of 41.51 away from home. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has scored 2535 runs at an average of 51.73 at home and 1644 runs at an average of 31.01 away from home.
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Average | Runs | Average | Runs | |
Home | 55.58 | 4,336 | 51.73 | 2,535 |
Away | 41.51 | 4,774 | 31.01 | 1,644 |
Neutral | 30.00 | 120 | 30.50 | 122 |
Also read: Top 7 cricketers who did not get a chance to play farewell test match
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Performance as Captain
Virat Kohli has scored 4336 runs as India’s Test captain at an average of 55.58. In contrast, Rohit Sharma has scored 1254 runs as captain at an average of 30.58.
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Average | Runs | Average | Runs | |
As Captain | 55.58 | 4,336 | 30.58 | 1,254 |
As a Player | 41.51 | 4,774 | 46.87 | 3,047 |
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Most Contribution in Team Wins
Rohit Sharma has scored more runs in his Test career in matches won by India, while Virat Kohli has played more impactful innings. Rohit Sharma’s average in winning matches is 57.40, while Virat Kohli’s average is 51.58. However, Kohli’s average of 71.88 in drawn matches is significantly higher than Rohit’s 40.85, indicating that he has played more game-saving innings.
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Average | Runs | Average | Runs | |
Wins | 51.58 | 4,746 | 57.40 | 2,985 |
Losses | 32.60 | 2,543 | 18.60 | 744 |
Draws | 71.88 | 1,941 | 40.85 | 572 |