Virat Kohli's impact in Test cricket vs MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma – Who was more influential?

Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, but his contributions to Team India in the traditional format of the game will be etched in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts forever. The Delhi batter shouldered the hopes of the nation for a very long time, playing against some of the finest bowlers world cricket has ever seen.

Kohli made his Test debut at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, in June 2011, against the West Indies. He could only aggregate 76 runs in five innings at an average of 15.20 in the three-match series. However, the resilient cricketer kept working on his game behind the scenes and slowly but steadily improved his skills in the red-ball format.

Kohli has often expressed his fondness for Test cricket. Coincidentally, he led India on a full-time basis for the first time in the red-ball format after MS Dhoni retired midway through the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia in 2014–15. Kohli made it very clear that his team would look to play an aggressive brand of cricket and take risks in order to win Test matches away from home instead of settling for draws.

Under Virat Kohli's reign in red-ball cricket, India became invincible at home and formidable in overseas conditions. He used to marshal his troops from the front and had the exceptional ability to bring the best out of everyone. During his tenure, he backed his pacers to pick 20 wickets in overseas Tests. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj flourished under his captaincy and tormented opposition batters.

Comparison with MS Dhoni's impact

When MS Dhoni became captain of India's Test team, he had to lead several senior stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid. He did his best to maximise their potential, even when they were at the twilight of their careers. While Dhoni is regarded as arguably the finest white-ball captain of all time, he was often criticised for letting the game meander along in Test matches. From winning situations, India lost or drew a few matches during the wicketkeeper-batter's reign, as he often wouldn't go for the jugular.

However, Kohli's in-your-face mentality and never-say-die attitude rubbed off on his teammates, and India seized any little opportunity given to them by the opposition. Teams playing against Kohli's men would have no respite, as the Asian giants would always be on the lookout for the smallest of mistakes.

Dhoni captained India in 60 Test matches, leading to 27 wins, 18 losses, and 15 draws. This translates to a winning percentage of 45%. Kohli, on the other hand, led India in 68 matches. The Asian side won 40 matches, lost 17, and drew 11. He had a winning percentage of 58.82%.

Comparison with Rohit Sharma's impact

Rohit Sharma took charge as India's Test skipper after Kohli relinquished captaincy in January 2022. The Mumbai cricketer had a unique approach to captaincy, which was a fine blend of Dhoni and Kohli's styles. While Rohit liked using his spinners more like Dhoni, he didn't keep his fast bowlers out of the scene when India played matches at home. The Nagpur-born was generally calm and composed, but he did not allow his players to get distracted even when things were going well.

Kohli's best performances in Test cricket came when he was the captain of the Indian team. He averaged 54.80 from 68 Tests as India's skipper, scoring 20 centuries. However, without the prestigious role, his average dropped to 37.40 from 55 Tests, with only 10 centuries to his name.

Rohit, on the other hand, finished with a much better record without captaincy in Test matches. As a specialist batter, the 38-year-old scored his runs at an average of 46.87 after playing 47 Tests. He also notched up eight centuries during this phase. However, as a captain, Rohit's average was a paltry 30.58 from 24 games, and he only managed four tons. The stylish batter led India to 12 wins, nine losses, and three draws in 24 Test matches, with a winning percentage of 50%.

It is important to mention that Rohit adapted to becoming an opening batter at the Test level later in his career and found amazing success. However, the position from where he averages the highest is No. 6. Kohli, on the other hand, batted below No. 5 in only 10 innings out of the 210 he played in Tests. Therefore, Rohit's adaptability deserves praise.

Among Dhoni, Rohit, and Kohli, the latter is the only Indian captain who has never lost a Test series at home. Under Dhoni's leadership, India lost to England at home in 2012. Meanwhile, Rohit's men were defeated by New Zealand in 2024.