Virat Kohli : As India prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the focus will inevitably be on the performances of two of their most prolific white-ball cricketers: captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli. Both players are coming off a challenging Test tour of Australia, where Rohit managed just 31 runs in five innings, and Kohli scored 190 runs in nine innings, including a century in Perth. With both batsmen under pressure to deliver in the upcoming Champions Trophy, let’s take a closer look at their performances in the one-day series against England and their stats in the prestigious ICC event.
The England ODI Series: Building Momentum for Champions Trophy 2025
The pressure on both players was evident during the home ODI series against England.
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain struggled in the first match, getting out for just 2 runs off 7 balls. However, he responded strongly in the second ODI with a brilliant century. In the third match, he was dismissed for just 1 run.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli missed the first ODI due to a swelling on his right knee but returned in the second match, where he was dismissed for a low score. However, in the third ODI, he made a vital contribution, scoring 52 off 55 balls with seven fours and a six.
With the focus now shifting to the 2025 Champions Trophy, both players will need to capitalize on their performances in this series to build momentum.
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Champions Trophy Batting Stats Comparison
Rohit Sharma – 2017 champions trophy aesthetics. The Most elegant version of him🤩🔥 pic.twitter.com/r5jXHoOqC8
— Kuljot (@Ro45Kuljot) January 4, 2025
Player | Innings | Runs | Not outs | Average | SR |
Virat Kohli | 12 | 529 | 6 | 88.16 | 92.32 |
Rohit Sharma | 10 | 481 | 1 | 53.44 | 82.50 |
Batting Average and Strike Rate
- Virat Kohli:
- Matches Played: 13
- Innings: 12
- Runs Scored: 529
- Average: 88.16
- Strike Rate: 92.32
- Centuries: 1
- Half-Centuries: 5
- Highest Score: 107* vs South Africa
- Not Out: 6 times
- Rohit Sharma:
- Matches Played: 10
- Innings: 10
- Runs Scored: 481
- Average: 53.44
- Strike Rate: 82.50
- Centuries: 1
- Half-Centuries: 3
- Highest Score: 123* vs Bangladesh
- Not Out: 1 time
Who Has More 50-Plus Scores?
Player | HS | 100s | 50s | 0s | 4s | 6s |
Virat Kohli | 96* | 0 | 5 | 1 | 53 | 8 |
Rohit Sharma | 123* | 1 | 4 | 1 | 51 | 8 |
- Virat Kohli:
Kohli has scored five 50-plus scores in the Champions Trophy. His best of 96* came against Bangladesh in the 2017 semi-final. Other notable knocks include 81* against Pakistan, 79* against the West Indies, 76* against South Africa, and 58* against Sri Lanka. Kohli’s ability to anchor innings and play crucial knocks in knockout matches has been vital for India. - Rohit Sharma:
Rohit also has five 50-plus scores in the Champions Trophy, with his best of 123* coming against Bangladesh in the 2017 semi-final. Other strong performances include 91 against Pakistan, 78 against Sri Lanka, 65 against South Africa, and 52 against the West Indies. Like Kohli, Rohit’s big-match temperament has often come through in the Champions Trophy.
Who Has Hit More Fours and Sixes?
Virat Kohli 96*(78) vs Bangladesh
— PJ CRICKET 🏏 (@CricketWithPJ) January 29, 2025
Champions Trophy 2017#ChampionsTrophy2025 #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/1lU319c2iu
- Virat Kohli:
In his 12 innings, Kohli has struck 53 fours and 8 sixes. Notable innings with heavy boundaries include his 96* against Bangladesh, where he hit 13 fours, and his 79* against the West Indies, with 9 fours and 2 sixes. His ability to consistently find the boundary has been one of the key features of his game in ICC tournaments. - Rohit Sharma:
In 10 innings, Rohit has smashed 51 fours and 8 sixes. His 123* against Bangladesh stands out, with 15 fours and a six. He also hit 7 fours and 2 sixes in his 91 against Pakistan. Known for his ability to clear the ropes, Rohit’s boundary-hitting ability is a critical aspect of his batting.
Key Takeaways:
- Batting Average & Strike Rate: Virat Kohli has a significant advantage with a higher batting average (88.16 vs 53.44) and a better strike rate (92.32 vs 82.50).
- 50+ Scores: Both players have five 50-plus scores in the Champions Trophy, but Kohli’s consistency has been slightly better in terms of big-match performances.
- Fours and Sixes: Kohli edges out Rohit in terms of fours (53 vs 51), while both players have hit the same number of sixes (8).
Conclusion
While both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been consistent performers for India in the Champions Trophy, Kohli’s superior batting average and strike rate give him the edge in this comparison. However, Rohit’s ability to score big and his crucial knocks in high-pressure situations make him just as vital for India’s success in the 2025 edition. Both players will be crucial to India’s fortunes, and their performances will likely play a key role in determining how far the Men in Blue go in the tournament.\