New Delhi: In the world of cricket, few duos have been as influential as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their partnership has been the cornerstone of India’s batting lineup across formats, and their recent performances have been nothing short of phenomenal. Rohit Sharma’s shift towards a more aggressive batting style has been particularly noteworthy, contributing significantly to India’s dominance in white-ball cricket. This fearless approach, however, is not without its safety net—Virat Kohli’s presence at number three provides the assurance that allows Rohit to take risks with his batting.
Rohit Sharma’s transformation into a power-hitting opener has been pivotal in India’s success in ICC white-ball competitions. His ability to maximize the powerplay overs has set the tone for India’s innings, often leaving opponents reeling. Aaron Finch, the former Australian captain, attributes Rohit’s aggressive style to the security provided by Kohli’s presence in the lineup. “When you look at Rohit’s decision to bat aggressively, he knows Virat is coming in behind him at number three,” Finch noted. This partnership has been instrumental in India’s batting across formats, with both players having retired from T20Is on a high note after their crucial roles in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
Rohit and Kohli have been the mainstays of India’s batting lineup for years, and their impact is evident in the team’s recent performances. India has lost just one match across three major white-ball events, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, and the recent Champions Trophy. This success is a testament to the duo’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure. As Kohli prepares to focus on T20 cricket with the IPL 2025, there is speculation about whether he might adopt a higher strike rate. However, his role in stabilizing innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore often limits his ability to bat aggressively, as he frequently finds himself in situations where he needs to dig the team out of trouble.
