Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli; Who was better as India's ODI captain? Analysis reveals

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]

In a dramatic turn of events, the BCCI selection committee handed over the Indian ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill for the upcoming Australia tour. The Punjab batter replaces Rohit Sharma as the skipper; however, the latter has been included in the squad for the Australia series. 

Rohit Sharma had succeeded Virat Kohli, hailed as one of India's finest ever leaders. As the 38-year-old concludes his captaincy stint, here we find out if he finished as a better ODI captain than Kohli in ODIs. 

Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli ODI captaincy record comparison

Key observations and inference

Virat Kohli led India in significantly more matches than Rohit Sharma. However, the Mumbaikar ended up with a better win-to-loss ratio and win percentage than his Delhi teammate in One-Day internationals. While India won 65 ODIs in Kohli's tenure, Rohit led the Men in Blue to 42 wins in just 56 outings as the captain. So, statistically, Rohit was a more successful skipper than Kohli in the format. 

Rohit vs Kohli: Performance in marquee tournaments as captains

(Rohit vs Kohli as ODI captains in major tournaments)

• For this comparison, we have taken the ODI Asia Cups, World Cups and Champions Trophy editions into consideration. While Rohit led India to triumph in the 2018 and 2023 Asia Cup editions, Kohli was the skipper in only one Asia Cup tournament back in 2014, which witnessed India's group-stage exit. 
• Meanwhile, both got one World Cup and Champions Trophy editions to lead the Men in Blue. While Kohli-led India crashed out of the 2019 semifinal, the Rohit Sharma-led side lost the all-important 2023 final to Australia in Ahmedabad. 
• Talking about the Champions Trophy, Kohli-led India lost to Pakistan in the 2017 final, while Rohit powered the Men in Blue to the title earlier this year. 
• These facts, along with an incredible win-to-loss ratio of 12, establish Rohit Sharma as a more successful ODI captain than Virat Kohli in showpiece events. 

Final verdict

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are undoubtedly two of the most iconic names in India's ODI history. Kohli is undoubtedly the more accomplished ODI batter of the two, having slammed the most number of hundreds in the format. However, when it comes to captaincy, Rohit Sharma certainly outclasses his teammate based on a better overall record as well as achievements in major tournaments.

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