Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Create History in Ranchi ODI
Sunday’s encounter against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi became a monumental occasion for Indian cricket, not just for the action on the pitch, but for a significant milestone achieved by two modern legends. As the first ODI got underway, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli officially became the most enduring partnership in Indian cricket history in terms of match appearances.
Surpassing the Legends
For years, the gold standard for longevity was held by the iconic duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Between 1996 and 2012, these two titans featured in the same playing XI on 391 occasions. However, as South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl in the series opener, the confirmation of the Indian team sheet signaled a changing of the guard. By stepping onto the field together in Ranchi, Rohit and Kohli marked their 392nd international match as teammates, eclipsing the long-standing record held by the "Master Blaster" and "The Wall."
A Journey Starting in 2008
The journey of this record-breaking pair began over a decade ago. While Rohit Sharma made his debut in 2007, their partnership truly commenced when Kohli entered the ODI arena in 2008. Since then, they have been the pillars of the Indian batting lineup. Their collaboration spans all three formats, though they recently bid farewell to T20 Internationals following the triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The Numbers Game
The breakdown of their partnership shows dominance across eras. Their 392 matches include a mix of high-pressure Test matches, World Cup fixtures, and bilateral series. While they now sit at the top of the Indian pile, they trail the global record held by Sri Lankan legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, who shared the field a staggering 550 times.
Nevertheless, for Indian fans, seeing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli overtake the Tendulkar-Dravid tally is a nostalgic reminder of their consistency and fitness over the last 15 years. Other notable Indian pairs on this elite list include the partnerships of Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, as well as Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, but the current duo now stands alone at the summit.
