Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli: Comparing Their ODI Captaincy Records
Rohit took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli and performed well as both a batter and leader in white-ball cricket. Now, as his captaincy chapter ends, let’s compare his ODI captaincy record with that of Kohli.
Rohit Sharma’s time as Team India captain has ended after he was removed as ODI skipper ahead of the white-ball tour of Australia. While the Hitman will continue as a player, Shubman Gill has been named India’s new ODI captain, marking the start of a new era in Indian cricket.
Rohit retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies. He also retired from Test cricket after a poor tour of Australia in 2024-25. The 38-year-old has been in good form in ODIs and even guided the team to a Champions Trophy win earlier this year. However, there is still doubt about his availability for the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli and performed well as both a batter and leader in white-ball cricket. Now, as his captaincy chapter ends, let’s compare his ODI captaincy record with that of Kohli.
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Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli: Who Has a Better Record as ODI Captain?
Rohit Sharma’s journey as India’s ODI captain ended after leading the team from 2017 to 2025. He captained India in 56 matches, winning 42 and losing 14. One match ended in a tie, and one in no result. His win percentage stands at 75%, which is among the best for Indian captains.
In contrast, Virat Kohli led India in 95 ODIs between 2013 and 2021. Under his captaincy, India won 65 matches and lost 27. Kohli’s win percentage was 68.42%, slightly lower than Rohit’s but across a larger number of matches.
Overall Captaincy Record in ODIs
| Player | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 56 | 42 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 75 |
| Virat Kohli | 95 | 65 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 68.42 |
Rohit’s record shows greater consistency in limited matches, while Kohli led India across more series and tours globally.
Batting Records as Captain
When it comes to batting, Rohit scored 2,506 runs in 56 ODIs as captain, averaging 52.20 with a strike rate of 111.97. He smashed five centuries and 17 fifties, including a career-best score of 208*.
On the other hand, Kohli’s numbers are outstanding. He scored 5,449 runs in 95 ODIs as captain, averaging 72.65 with a strike rate of 98.28. He hit 21 hundreds and 27 fifties, showing remarkable consistency.
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 55 | 2,506 | 52.20 | 111.97 | 208* | 5 | 17 |
| Virat Kohli | 91 | 5,449 | 72.65 | 98.28 | 160* | 21 | 27 |
Rohit has a better strike rate, while Kohli dominates in average and centuries — reflecting his consistency over time.
ICC ODI Events Comparison
In ICC tournaments, Rohit led India in 16 matches, winning 15 and losing just one. He guided India to the Champions Trophy 2025 title and the 2023 World Cup final. Kohli, meanwhile, captained India in 14 ICC ODI games, winning 10. His side lost in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2019 World Cup semifinal.
| Player | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Performance in Wins
Rohit scored 2,080 runs in India’s 42 wins under his captaincy, averaging 59.42. In contrast, Kohli amassed 4,211 runs in 65 wins, averaging a stunning 87.72.
In conclusion, Rohit Sharma has a slightly better win percentage as captain, while Virat Kohli has far superior batting stats and consistency. Rohit led with calmness and success in ICC events, whereas Kohli’s aggressive leadership style produced dominant bilateral series wins. Both captains have left a lasting legacy in Indian ODI cricket.
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