‘Rohit Sharma understands tactics more than Virat Kohli’ - Ravichandran Ashwin and Varun Chakaravarthy share their views on the ongoing captaincy debate

Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I captain following the team’s poor campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Shortly after, the BCCI replaced him as the ODI skipper, handing over the reins to Rohit Sharma. In 2022, Kohli also resigned as Test captain. Since taking over, Rohit Sharma has led India to notable success, including winning the T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing his strong leadership across formats.

In a chat on R Ashwin’s YouTube show, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was asked to evaluate Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's styles of captaincy. The mystery spinner had played under both leaders, and he discussed how you can see the captaincy style of both in their respective approaches on the field. His view gave fans a closer glimpse into both players' varied styles, leadership qualities, and how, now, perhaps the team is approaching both of them differently through Rohit’s more recent and successful term as captain.

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“Virat is a true leader. When you just see him, when you just observe what he is doing and you must have also noticed the match against Pakistan, you were also there. We lost first two wickets to Shaheen Shah Afridi. But when Virat came, he stepped down and hit Shaheen for six and it was so inspiring and motivational, but how he is giving it back and all this. So Virat is exceptional, as in the way he can he can cheer up everyone. So the main thing was whenever I spoke to him his answers were very motivational and in that thing and when I spoke to Rohit Sharma, it was very tactical. So it was two different parts,” Varun Chakravarthy said.

Ashwin backs Varun's claim on the captaincy debate

Ashwin, hosting the discussion, agreed with Varun Chakaravarthy’s views and highlighted the difference in leadership styles between the two former captains. He described Virat Kohli as an inspirational figure who leads by example — always visible, intensely involved in training and practice, and motivating the team through his presence and energy. In contrast, Rohit Sharma was praised for his tactical mindset, with Ashwin noting that Rohit’s strategies are well thought out, particularly when it comes to field placements and exploiting opposition batters’ weaknesses.

Recently Kohli and Rohit became retired players of Test cricket, the retired players from T20Is. Their retirements have led to the end of an era for Indian cricket, but they have both begun an era where succession is evolving. The ongoing Test series against England displays this generation shift, as Shubman Gill becomes captain and Rishabh Pant is his vice-captain. The transfer of leadership represents a new beginning, a new chapter, as India steps towards the future.