Sanjay Manjrekar opens up on Virat-Rohit comparison in Test cricket

Former Indian cricketer and now commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a fresh debate in the cricketing world by drawing a sharp distinction between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s legacies in Test cricket. Speaking on a panel discussion, Manjrekar urged fans and experts to refrain from placing the two modern-day greats in the same bracket when it comes to red-ball cricket. According to him, Kohli’s record in the longest format is significantly superior and deserves to be judged independently of his contemporaries. Both batting icons recently retired from Test cricket ahead of India’s high-profile five-match series against England.

Rohit Sharma signed off with 4301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of just over 40, including 12 centuries. While he found success in home conditions, his performances in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations were relatively modest, with only one century scored in those regions. In contrast, Virat Kohli’s Test career stands out as one of the finest in Indian cricket history. The former captain amassed 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries to his name—many of which came in challenging overseas conditions. Manjrekar’s remarks have reignited conversations about individual greatness versus collective legacy.

The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket have undoubtedly left a significant leadership void in the Indian team. With both stalwarts stepping away, the responsibility now shifts to the younger generation to carry forward the legacy in red-ball cricket. As the team transitions, fans and cricket pundits have often clubbed the two legends together while reflecting on their contributions. However, Sanjay Manjrekar believes it's time to shift that narrative. He feels that while both players have made their mark, Virat Kohli's achievements in Test cricket stand apart and deserve individual recognition.

"Right recently, Shubman Gill made a statement, India's new Test captain about how he is now going to feel the pressure of the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the England season, the Test series there. And it stirred up the bee in my bonnet, which has been there for a while. It's not so much about the statement, but the fact that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli tend to get clubbed together.

"We even have a term for them, RoKo. I can understand it in white-ball cricket; there's some comparison, and they're comparable players. Although there's an argument there as well, but that's for a later time. When it comes to red-ball cricket, there's absolutely no comparison between the two. And I will never ever put them in the same bracket. Just to give you some numbers, so you don't have to take my word for it," said former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar in a recent Instagram video. 

The 59-year-old Sanjay Manjrekar supported his opinion with statistics, highlighting the clear difference in Test performances between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, particularly in challenging overseas conditions. Manjrekar pointed out Kohli’s impressive record in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), where he has scored 12 of his 30 Test centuries. In stark contrast, Rohit Sharma has managed just one century in those conditions throughout his career. Manjrekar used these numbers to argue that Kohli’s contributions in the toughest environments speak volumes about his skill and temperament in the red-ball format. He went on to say that had Rohit played the upcoming Test series against England, there was a possibility his average could have fallen below 40 — a mark that often defines batting greatness. 

"When it comes to SENA countries, the true test of a batter, Virat Kohli has got 12 hundreds. 30 Test 100s as well. Rohit Sharma in SENA countries, just the one against England at Oval 2021. He's played over 100 innings, just one hundred in SENA countries. And the average now is 40. And I dare say, had he continued playing or had he gone to England, that average would have dropped in the 30s.

"I can't be absolutely sure, but that would be my educated guess. So, when it comes to Test cricket, please, red-ball cricket, Virat Kohli is in a different league when you compare him with Rohit Sharma. This comparison in red-ball cricket between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and putting them in the same bracket, I say, Roko, stop that," Manjrekar added.