In a remarkable achievement for Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have matched the record held by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid for the most matches played together. This milestone was reached during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where both players appeared in their 391st match as a partnership across all formats.
Kohli and Sharma Reach Historic Milestone
This milestone arises during Kohli’s 305th ODI appearance and Rohit’s 276th. Their enduring partnership has significantly contributed to India’s cricket success over the past 15 years.
The Record Explained
- Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma – 391 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid – 391 matches
- Rahul Dravid & Sourav Ganguly – 369 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar & Anil Kumble – 367 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly – 341 matches
- Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja – 309 matches
Kohli and Rohit have participated in 60 Test matches, 225 ODIs, and 106 T20 internationals. This contrasts with Tendulkar and Dravid, who played 146 Tests and 245 ODIs, emphasizing differing eras and formats of cricket.
Partnership Timeline
The journey of Kohli and Rohit began when Kohli made his ODI debut in 2008. Rohit had been active in the Indian team since 2007. Their partnership is set to continue until 2024, culminating in their joint retirement from T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Challenges on the Australian Tour
The ongoing Australian tour has posed challenges for both players. Kohli faced an unusual dip in form, registering consecutive ducks for the first time in his career during the matches in Perth and Adelaide. Conversely, Rohit showcased resilience, scoring 73 runs in the second ODI despite a slow start.
Rohit’s crucial innings helped India post a total of 264 runs after the early wickets of Kohli and captain Shubman Gill. However, India lost the match by two wickets, raising concerns about the team’s performance and future in the ODI format.
As Kohli and Rohit continue to build on their legacy, they not only honor the achievements of Tendulkar and Dravid but also contribute to the evolution of Indian cricket in the modern era.
