Bengaluru: Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered an insightful comparison between two of Indian cricket’s biggest icons—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—highlighting their contrasting approaches and personalities.
Ashwin’s remarks came after Kohli’s match-winning knock powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a stunning victory over SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener.
Kohli thrives as the anchor
According to Ashwin, Kohli’s strength lies in controlling the innings and being at the centre of the action.
“Virat loves to make those runs. He wants to be the centre stage. He wants to do things in a certain way,” Ashwin said.
Kohli showcased exactly that with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, anchoring a record-breaking 202-run chase.
His innings, laced with five fours and five sixes, ensured RCB chased down the target in just 15.4 overs—the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history.
Rohit’s flair and attacking intent
In contrast, Ashwin described Rohit Sharma as a naturally aggressive and flamboyant batter who prefers to take the attack to bowlers from the outset.
“Rohit is slightly different. He loves to be more flamboyant and wants to take on the bowlers from the start. I don’t think he’s going to change one bit,” Ashwin explained.
Rohit demonstrated that approach in Mumbai Indians’ clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, smashing 78 off 38 balls and helping his team race to 80 runs in the powerplay.
Supporting cast shines for RCB
While Kohli led from the front, he received strong support from Devdutt Padikkal, who hammered 61 off just 26 balls, and skipper Rajat Patidar, who contributed a quickfire 31 off 12 deliveries.
Their combined effort ensured a memorable start to the season for RCB.
Two legends, two styles
Ashwin’s analysis underlines a simple yet fascinating truth—while both Kohli and Rohit are match-winners, they operate in very different ways.
Kohli builds an innings with precision and intensity, often guiding chases deep, whereas Rohit relies on instinct and attacking flair to put pressure on the opposition early.
Conclusion
Ravichandran Ashwin’s breakdown perfectly captures the essence of two modern greats. Virat Kohli’s calculated dominance and Rohit Sharma’s effortless aggression continue to define their legacies, giving fans contrasting yet equally thrilling styles to admire in IPL 2026.