Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Harbhajan Singh selects better T20I batsman

Harbhajan chooses between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: The veteran off-spinner answered a tricky question in an intelligent manner.

Stand-in India captain Rohit Sharma allured plentiful eyeballs after he surpassed New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill as the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. In the 92 matches which Sharma has played, he has scored 2,288 runs at an average of 32.68 and a strike rate of 138.41.

The 31-year old right-hand batsman has also scored four centuries and 16 half-centuries which also aid him in topping the list of most 50+ scores in the format. Having scored 19 T20I half-centuries, regular India captain Virat Kohli comes next on the list.

With 2,167 runs in 65 matches at an average of 49.25 and a strike rate of 136.11, Kohli is fourth on the list of highest run-scorers in the format. Given their numbers, picking one out of the two Indian stalwarts can become a daunting task for anyone.

Speaking to Sports Tak, veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was asked about the same. Claiming it to be a ‘tricky’ question, Harbhajan couldn’t zero in on one particular name between the two. “That’s a tricky question. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are tremendous players and both are match-winners. Both are class players and their records speak for themselves,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying.

While Harbhajan hailed Sharma’s talent, he seemed highly impressed by Kohli hark work. After careful deliberation, the 38-year old eventually admitted that he won’t be able to answer this question.

“Rohit Sharma is supremely talented while Virat Kohli is a hard-working cricketer. Maybe, Kohli is not as talented as Rohit but his hard-work and passion have taken him to where he is right now. So, it’s tough for me to pick who’s a better batsman. I will not be able to answer this question. But both play for India, that’s what matters,” Harbhajan added.

While people tend to rate Sharma higher in cricket’s shortest format due to his four international centuries, Harbhajan dissected as to how Kohli hasn’t been able to register daddy hundreds in T20Is.

“Rohit has scored so many hundreds in T20Is because he opens the innings and he gets to play that many deliveries. Virat Kohli sometimes has to play slow at the start of his innings after India lose early wickets. And, when he gets a set platform, 15-16 overs are already over. So we should not look at the stats but look at how much these two players have contributed playing for India,” Harbhajan concluded.