Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were indulging in some mock fencing with a stump in the hands of each other. The two have played pivotal roles in seeing the Indian cricket team through eventful times. This included success and failure. Somewhere in between, there used to be rumours everyday about their inter-personal relationship taking a bitter turn. (WATCH - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli celebrate India's Champions Trophy triumph with candid dandiya performance)
What the veterans were doing after India won the Champions Trophy final following a comprehensive win over New Zealand, was perhaps their way of answering those things. They know that whatever be the fortune of the team, talks about a rift between them will always be popular fodder. At the Dubai International Stadium, they showed that how cool they are with it.
This has come at an interesting stage of these two batters. Both have retired from international T20 cricket. They will be put to a stern test in England this summer over five Test matches. And it’s not clear yet what India’s next 50-over assignment is. Not until close to the end of this year at least. Was this their last hurrah in national colours in this format?
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It’s complicated and there are many factors. It has to be seen what shape they are in after the Indian Premier League, which is less than a fortnight away. After that, nobody knows how the Indian players will be following the England series. So, instead of speculating over the future of Kohli and Rohit, it’s important to acknowledge their success.
This was a fourth ICC title for both. The Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2015 and the 2023 T20 World Cup the two were part of. Rohit won the 2007 T20 World Cup, before Kohli made his international debut. Kohli won the 2011 50-over World Cup, which Rohit was not selected for.
In contrasting manner, they have bossed the ODI scene. Kohli is the best to have played the 50-over game, according to many. Average of 58-plus, 51 centuries — what he has done is difficult to surpass. He failed in the final, but was on song against Pakistan and Australia in the semi-final. Rohit is the only batter with three double centuries, the owner of the highest score and the lone one to have made five centuries in one World Cup. Few teams in history possessed this quality and dominance at the same time in the form of two.
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Given that the next 50-over World Cup is two years away, it’s fair to assume that the two will not be seen together at another ICC event. Rohit overcoming enormous pressure and being the Player of the Final and Kohli inspiring the side with his mastery while chasing in the previous games make it an occasion to celebrate these two. What lies in store? No need to look that far ahead.
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