Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are known as the backbone of the Indian cricket team. Rohit Sharma (Age 37), born on April 30, 1987, and Virat Kohli (Age 35), born on November 5, 1988, have an age difference of just over a year and a half. Despite this small gap, their cricketing journeys and personal connections have significantly influenced Indian cricket, making them two of the most prominent figures in the sport today.
Rohit Sharma: The Hitman of Indian Cricket
Rohit Sharma’s career has been marked by his remarkable batting prowess and leadership skills. Hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, Rohit burst onto the international scene in 2007. Initially inconsistent, he transformed his career after being promoted to open the batting in ODIs in 2013. Known for his elegant stroke play and ability to score big hundreds, Rohit holds the record for the highest individual score in ODIs—264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014. He is also the only player to have scored three double centuries in ODIs.
Rohit’s IPL career with the Mumbai Indians (MI) has been equally stellar. Under his captaincy, MI has won the IPL title five times, a testament to his leadership and tactical acumen. His calm demeanor and strategic mind have led India to victory in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, becoming the only Indian player to win two World Cups in this format.
Virat Kohli: The G.O.A.T of Cricket
Virat Kohli, often referred to as “King Kohli,” is celebrated for his consistency, aggressive batting style, and leadership. Born in Delhi, he first made headlines by leading India to victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Kohli made his ODI debut later that year and quickly became an indispensable part of the Indian batting lineup.
Known for his chasing prowess, Kohli has numerous records to his name, including the fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in ODIs. He has also captained the Indian team across all formats, leading India to historic victories, including their first Test series win in Australia in 2018-19. Kohli’s dedication to fitness and his aggressive on-field persona have inspired a new generation of cricketers. In a surprising yet emotional move, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Professional and Personal Connections
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s professional relationship has evolved over the years. While Kohli was the captain of the Indian team, Rohit served as the vice-captain, especially in limited-overs cricket. Their partnership was crucial in India’s successes in various ICC tournaments and bilateral series.
Despite media speculations about rifts, both players have publicly expressed mutual respect and admiration. They have often praised each other’s contributions to the team and have worked together to strategize and execute game plans.
Off the field, both players share a bond over their love for the game and their roles as family men. Rohit is married to Ritika Sajdeh, and they have a daughter named Samaira. Kohli is married to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, and they have two children one is daughter named Vamika and Son named “Akaay”. Their families often interact, strengthening their personal relationship.
