Virat Kohli finally acknowledges how Rohit Sharma helped him become a better captain

Ahead of RCB-MI clash, Virat Kohli surprisingly credited Rohit Sharma for helping him become a better captain, highlighting their bond.

Virat Kohli finally acknowledges how Rohit Sharma helped him become a better captain

Virat Kohli opened up about his bond with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. (via Indian Express)

Ahead of the much-awaited 2025 IPL encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, Virat Kohli surprisingly acknowledged that Rohit Sharma aided him to become a better captain. The 36-year-old talked about the natural bond he shares with the Indian captain.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been the two most pivotal players of the Indian national cricket team for over a decade now. The two veteran stars, while enjoying a stellar career individually, kicked off their international cricketing journey at almost the same time. While Rohit Sharma made his debut for the Indian team in 2007, winning the T20 World Cup in his very first year, Kohli joined the team a year later, in 2008. 

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They have since then been an inseparable part of the Indian team, and have shattered several records in the process. While Virat Kohli remains the 2nd highest run-scorer for India, Rohit Sharma is just two places behind him, in 4th position. The two players have also captained the Indian team. Rohit Sharma acted as Kohli’s deputy during the latter’s captaincy era, before being appointed to that role himself. 

However, the two players had reportedly hit a rough patch in 2021, owing to several disagreements, both inside and outside the Indian dressing room. At the end of India’s disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, the RCB star decided to step down as the T20 captain. He was immediately replaced by Sharma, who was later named as the new captain in Tests and ODIs as well.

However, keeping aside those differences, Kohli and Sharma combined to end India’s trophy drought by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, and more recently, the 2025 Champions Trophy. Ahead of a mega clash between the two Indian cricket stalwarts in the IPL on April 7, Virat Kohli opened up about his bond with the MI batter, sharing insights about their relationship, both on an off the pitch.

It’s a very natural thing to take place when you play with someone for so long, you’re learning from each other, you’re kind of growing in your careers at probably the same time.

Virat Kohli on India teammate Rohit Sharma (H/T Hindustan Times)

The 36-year-old admitted that they have learnt a lot from each other over the years, while enjoying a similar career trajectory. Kohli added that he worked closely with Sharma, even during his captaincy days, within the leadership group, and stated that the trust made their partnership strong. He exclaimed that in discussions, he and Sharma would often end up on the same page, and get the Indian team over the line. 

We worked very closely in terms of the leadership for the team, so there were always ideas discussed and more or less, we would end up on the same page.

Virat Kohli added

Interestingly, the two players announced their retirement from T20Is together, following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite their recent struggles in red-ball cricket, will be aiming to play a few more years for India. 

Mahela Jayawardene provides an update on Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability ahead of MI-RCB clash

Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene provided a massive update on the team’s star player, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah availability, for the upcoming clash against RCB. The Sri Lankan legend confirmed that the two players might be in the starting XI for the next match. 

Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah availability
Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah might feature for MI’s next match against RCB, as head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed. (via NDTV)

Jayawardene confirmed that the pacer, who has remained out of action for the last three months, is ready to play. Jasprit Bumrah has been cleared to play by the NCA, after undergoing recovery for a back injury that he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He missed out on MI’s first four matches of the 2025 IPL season, but has rejoined the camp ahead of its upcoming match against RCB. 

Meanwhile, Jayawardene also informed that star opener and Indian captain Rohit Sharma would be available for MI’s next match, after a short assessment. The 37-year-old missed the last game against Lucknow Super Giants, owing to a knee injury that he sustained while training.