The names Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma since the last decade and a half has been synonymous with runs. The two have taken Indian cricket to new heights with their amazing batting feats and ability to dominate the opposition. Virat Kohli was seen as a natural leader after the under-19 world cup triumph in 2008. After MS Dhoni stepped as the test captain 2014, and white format early 2017, Kohli became the leader of the Indian team. Rohit Sharma on the back of a successful IPL career and good previous experience with India has now become the full time captain.
Yusuf Pathan makes his choice between Kohli and Rohit –
Former India player and older brother of former India all rounder Irfan Pathan, 39 year old Yusuf Pathan was asked who the better captain is between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Yusuf Pathan, responded by saying “In T20 cricket Rohit Sharma and In Test cricket Virat Kohli,”. The answer might have sounded diplomatic, but the stats show that Yusuf Pathan does have a point.
Virat Kohli leading the red ball revolution –
India were at number 7 in the test rankings, when Kohli took over, he soon made India into a test cricket giant. Series wins in West Indies, Australia in 2018, Sri Lanka and a 2-1 series lead in England are testament to that. Kohli made India the world number 1 side for five years in a row. They also qualified for the WTC final last year before losing to New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma the white ball champ –
Rohit Sharma began his captaincy career with Mumbai Indians when he took over from Ricky Ponting mid-season during IPL 2013. Since then he has led the men in blue and gold to 5 IPL titles as well as one Champions league. He has also led India in the white ball format winning the Asia Cup in 2018 as well as the tri nation Nidahas cup in early 2018. Rohit is the current captain for India across all formats of the game and is currently in England leading the Indian side.
Yusuf Pathan’s career in a nutshell –
Yusuf Pathan made his India debut in the T20 WC final in 2007, and his ODI debut a year later in 2008. He won the 2007 T20 world cup and 2011 Cricket World cup for India. Yusuf played 57 ODI games for India scoring 810 runs with 2 centuries and 3 fifties, with an average of 27 and Strike rate of 113.6, also picking 33 wickets. In 22 T20 games for India he scored 236 runs with a strike rate of 146 and picked 13 wickets. In the IPL he played 174 games scoring 3204 runs with a century and 13 fifties at a strike rate of 142.9, he picked 42 wickets with the ball. Yusuf has also won 3 IPL titles with RR in 2008, KKR and SRH.