Rohit Sharma gave the credit of saving his Test career to Virat Kohli, said – “If he was not there…”

Vilas Dhadke
11 Min Read
Rohit Sharma
 Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is considered as a smart captain
Source: X/Twitter

Rohit Sharma: Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is considered as a smart captain. Not only a captain, he is also considered as a brilliant batsman. His feats of being a brilliant batsman can be seen by looking at many previous innings. The recent example of his brilliant batting can be seen by looking at the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh.

Rohit along with Yashasvi Jaiswal batted like a T20 in Tests. Let us tell you that he did not bat like this from the beginning. Especially in Tests, he used to bat slowly at the beginning of his career. Now he is performing his best in this format as well. He considers this his rebirth in Test cricket and gives credit for this to Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri.

Rohit Sharma gave the credit of his Test career to Virat Kohli

In fact, Rohit Sharma told in an interview that his Test career was revived because of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. He said that former Team India captain Virat Kohli and former head coach Ravi Shastri have played an important role in reviving his red-ball career.

Virat, who was the captain of the Indian team at that time, and coach Ravi Shastri decided to send Rohit to open the batting in the practice match. But Rohit got out on zero in this match. But even after this, Rohit decided to play aggressively in Tests as well as ODIs and T20s.

After this, Rohit got a chance to bat for the first time in October 2019. Rohit took advantage of this opportunity. He scored 176 runs in the match against South Africa. 

Rohit Sharma revealed

On Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel, Rohit Sharma made a big revelation about Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. He said,

” I am very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat at the top order. The decision to open in Test cricket was not easy for me.” But they believed in me. They asked me to play practice matches. But I got out on the very first ball.

But I realised I had no other option. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. “I knew I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity,” Rohit said in this interview.

Rohit Sharma’s Test career

It is worth mentioning that Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in 2013 against West Indies. Since then, he has scored 4180 runs in 61 Test matches. This includes 12 centuries and 17 half-centuries. He also has a double century to his name in Test cricket. 

In a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career, crediting none other than Virat Kohli for saving his Test career. Rohit, known as one of the most prolific batsmen in limited-overs cricket, has had a more challenging journey in Test cricket. In an interview, he candidly admitted that if it weren’t for Kohli’s support and trust during a crucial phase, his red-ball career might have taken a different turn.

Here’s a closer look at what Rohit had to say, and how Kohli’s backing played a key role in Rohit’s resurgence as a dominant force in Test cricket.

Rohit’s Early Struggles in Test Cricket

While Rohit Sharma’s talent was never in doubt, his initial Test journey was far from smooth. Despite making a promising debut in 2013, where he scored two centuries in his first two Test matches, inconsistency plagued his Test career for several years. Rohit struggled to cement his place in the Test side, and his role in the team seemed uncertain as he failed to replicate his white-ball success in the longest format.

Often viewed as a limited-overs specialist, Rohit faced criticism for not being able to convert his talent into Test match performances. There were even whispers about him potentially being dropped from the Test squad permanently. However, this was when Virat Kohli, who was captain of the Indian team at the time, stepped in with his unwavering support for Rohit.

Virat Kohli’s Trust and Support

In his recent interview, Rohit Sharma revealed how Virat Kohli stood by him during one of the most challenging periods of his career. Kohli, known for backing players who he believes in, was instrumental in keeping Rohit’s Test career alive. Rohit explained:

“If Virat was not there, I don’t know if I would still be playing Test cricket. He showed immense faith in me when I needed it the most. His belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to turn things around.”

Kohli’s decision to give Rohit a longer rope in the Test team, particularly by promoting him as an opener in 2019, proved to be a game-changer. It was a bold call at the time, but Kohli knew that Rohit’s talent and experience could shine through if he was given the right role. Rohit further elaborated:

“Virat believed I had the potential to succeed in Test cricket. His constant encouragement helped me during those difficult times when I was questioning my own abilities.”

The Turning Point: Opening the Batting in Tests

The move to open the batting in Test cricket, which came under Kohli’s captaincy, became a turning point in Rohit Sharma’s red-ball career. Rohit grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 176 in his first innings as a Test opener against South Africa in 2019. He followed it up with another century in the same series, cementing his place as a Test opener.

Rohit’s transformation as a Test batsman since then has been remarkable. His ability to play long innings and tackle the new ball has made him one of India’s most reliable Test openers. From being on the fringes of the Test squad to becoming the captain of the Indian team in all formats, Rohit’s rise in Test cricket is a testament to his resilience and Kohli’s faith in him.

The Bond Between Rohit and Virat

While there have been rumors of a rift between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli over the years, this recent revelation highlights the deep mutual respect and camaraderie that exists between the two. Rohit’s acknowledgment of Kohli’s role in his Test career is a powerful reminder that behind the scenes, players often support and uplift each other, even when the spotlight is on their individual achievements.

Virat Kohli’s leadership during his tenure as captain was often marked by his proactive approach to player development. He was not afraid to take risks, and his decision to back Rohit Sharma as a Test opener is one of the finest examples of his captaincy vision.

Rohit’s Success in Test Cricket

Since taking on the role of Test opener, Rohit Sharma has flourished. He has played crucial innings in tough conditions, including in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2021. His ability to adapt his natural attacking game to the demands of Test cricket has been key to his success.

Rohit’s Test career now boasts impressive numbers, with centuries in different countries, including tough tours of England and Australia. Under his captaincy, India’s Test team continues to be a dominant force, and Rohit’s leadership is now as highly regarded as his batting.

A Legacy of Support and Friendship

Rohit Sharma’s tribute to Virat Kohli for helping him during a tough phase is a reminder of the impact that a leader’s faith can have on a player’s career. Kohli’s decision to back Rohit has paid rich dividends for Indian cricket, as Rohit has gone on to become one of the most successful openers in Test cricket.

As fans celebrate Rohit Sharma’s journey and his current status as India’s captain, this acknowledgment of Virat Kohli’s role in saving his Test career adds a new layer to their story. It’s a story of leadership, trust, and friendship—one that will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Indian cricket history.


This blog captures Rohit Sharma’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Virat Kohli’s support and how it helped reshape his Test career, showcasing the bond between two of India’s finest cricketers.

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