- May 13, 2025
Ah, Test cricket, the format which separates the men from the boys, where grit matters more than glamour. And when we think of Indian Test greats from our time, two names come top of mind: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But with both the red-ball careers of these modern greats now coming toward a close, fans are going away wondering: who has been better over the past five years? The stats are in, the emotions are high, and the debate is hotter than ever. Let us look at it all.
The Numbers Game: Who Scored More?
First, the runs. India has had plenty of Test cricket since 2020, including two WTC finals. Kohli, the fierce, former captain, has played more Tests than Rohit in this period. However, it is surprising that, even though having played 12 Tests (vs. Kohli’s 15 Tests), it is Rohit who has surpassed him in total runs.
Rohit made six centuries to Kohli’s three, even though he played fewer Tests. Kohli went on to have more 50+ scores than Rohit, but when you compare starts, heartfelt Rohit was able to convert those starts enough times to make a clear difference. This is in a format of cricket where one innings of volume can win tests, centuries count – Rohit had more centuries.
Impact & Consistency: The Real MVP?
Yes, raw figures – but what are the impacts? A hard-fought 70 on a green-top in Durban trumps a double hundred on a featherbed Rajkot pitch. At this juncture, consistency and clutch performances are important.
By 2020, Kohli’s average had slumped to a mortal 30.72—hardly the stuff of legends. Even in wins, he scratched out just 31.21, a far cry from the days he ruled chases like a conductor with a bat, averaging over 50 and making scoreboards tremble. Rohit had an average overall of only 36, and when things went India’s way, Rohit’s average was only just over 49.
This is what match-winners are all about. Rohit scored six centuries in victories, while Kohli in this period had only one. The point is, it is not simply about making runs, it is about delivering when it matters. And in this case, once again, Rohit just wins out.
Home and Away: The True Test of Greatness
Now onto the least aesthetic side—literally (it may be tough to watch ). How did they go then, in different conditions?
At home, you might expect both to dominate. Even in India, though, Rohit averaged a respectable 35.58, with Kohli still declining with 29.92. Both had highlights away from home, too—Kohli was in charge of the Caribbean and performed well in Australia and South Africa. Rohit had a breakout series in England and had a decent run in the West Indies too. Neither played in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, and Kohli made a terrible mess of New Zealand (with an average less than 10!), and Rohit didn’t even get a game there in 2020.
So, who takes the cake? It’s very close. Kohli had flashes in more difficult conditions, whereas Rohit was consistent in all conditions.
Who had the better run in Test cricket? Statistically and in total impact, Rohit Sharma just beats out Virat Kohli over the last five years. This may not sit easily with Kohli fanatics, but the numbers convey the message. As we enter the twilight of both athletes’ careers in reds, it raises the question: are we witnessing the end of these guys’ magic in whites? Or is there still one last broadcast left to be demonstrated?
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