Adelaide, October 23 – Former India coach Greg Chappell believes that Virat Kohli’s passion and refusal to chase personal milestones, along with Rohit Sharma’s humility and elegance, have created a golden era that will remain immortal — not only in cricket’s record books but also in the hearts of millions of fans.
As per agency report, with Rohit and Kohli nearing the final stages of their international careers during their current tour of Australia, Chappell said the legacy of the duo extends far beyond numbers. In his column for ESPNcricinfo, the former Australian legend wrote that as cricket evolves, new leaders will emerge, but the “Rohit-Kohli era” will always be remembered as a golden chapter by every fan who understood what they stood for.
Chappell noted that calling Kohli merely a great batsman would be an understatement. He described him as a “movement” who embodied a warrior’s mindset, transforming India’s ODI team into a sharp, disciplined, and supremely fit unit that played to win both at home and abroad.
He further analyzed the contrasting yet complementary qualities of both players, saying that Kohli represented relentless passion and belief in legacy over statistics, while Rohit symbolized grace, humility, and perfect timing — both in cricket and in life. Chappell emphasized that unlike some of his predecessors, Kohli was never obsessed with personal records.
He recalled that Kohli once said he played for India, not for milestones — a statement that, according to Chappell, defined his leadership philosophy. Kohli’s pursuit was not of numbers but of legacy, steering Indian cricket toward collective success rather than individual glory.
Turning to Rohit Sharma, Chappell wrote that his transition to an opener redefined his career, turning him into a modern-day great capable of dismantling bowlers with precision and poise. While Kohli’s rise was meteoric and driven by passion, Rohit’s journey was one of gradual brilliance, shaped by patience, artistry, and impeccable timing.
Chappell recounted how Rohit’s early career was marked by inconsistency and struggles in the middle order, which delayed his breakthrough on the big stage. The turning point came in 2013, when he was promoted to open the innings during the home series against England — a move that transformed his career. Soon after, he scored his first double century against Australia, followed by several match-winning hundreds.
According to Chappell, Rohit’s newfound comfort against swing bowling marked not just a technical shift but a transformation in belief. What followed, he said, was one of the most remarkable evolutions in Indian cricket — a player who not only mastered one-day cricket but conquered it.
Chappell concluded that the era defined by Kohli’s intensity and Rohit’s artistry will stand as a timeless chapter — a blend of fire and finesse that inspired a generation and reshaped the identity of Indian cricket.
