There's no comparison between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in red-ball cricket, stop putting them in one bracket: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has recently triggered a debate among fans about the comparison between batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket. Manjrekar urged fans and cricket experts to stop grouping the two legends in the longest format, suggesting that Kohli is miles ahead of Rohit, especially in the red-ball format.

Both Rohit and Virat recently bid farewell to Test cricket ahead of India's upcoming five-match series against England. While Rohit finished his career with 4301 runs in 67 matches at an average above 40, Kohli ended with 9230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Rohit managed 12 Test tons, one of which came in SENA countries.

Notably, the two retirements have created a leadership void in the Indian team, with the team now relying on the younger generation. Meanwhile, fans and commentators have often reflected on the legacies of the duo, often putting them together. But Manjrekar feels this story needs to change.

"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," the former said in a video shared on Instagram.

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Virat Kohli is in a different league: Sanjay Manjrekar

The 59-year-old backed his views with numbers, especially pointing to Kohli’s solid record in the SENA nations. The Delhi-born has scored 12 of his 30 Test centuries in these conditions, whereas Rohit has just one. Manjrekar further mentioned that had the former Indian skipper played the England series, his average might have dipped below 40.

"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," he added.