‘There is a bit of professional rivalry’ – Wasim Jaffer on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s bond

Cricknation Update: ‘There is a bit of professional rivalry’ – Wasim Jaffer on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s bond (Source: BCCI on X) Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been central figures in India’s ODI setup for several years, with both batters delivering significant performances in recent matches.

Kohli scored a century in Thiruvananthuram during the India vs West Indies ODI series, while Rohit struck a century in Guwahati during a record chase in the same series. These performances underline the quality and consistency that both players have brought to the Indian team. Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer has offered his perspective on the relationship between the two modern greats from his experience of playing with some of the best batsmen in cricket.

Jaffer played in an era when there were multiple world-class batsmen in the same team, and reflected on how that environment eroded mutual respect between competitors. “They have played a lot of cricket together. There is a bit of professional rivalry, but ultimately you respect each other.

When I was playing there was Sachin, Rahul, Sourav, Laxman and Sehwag,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel. “They were all great, but there was obvious mutual respect. Virat and Rohit are great players of the modern era and they respect each other a lot.

The new generation should learn this from them,” he added. The professional rivalry and mutual respect between Rohit and Kohli Rohit’s milestone achievement in the West Indies series added another dimension to the conversation about his standing in ODI cricket. The Mumbai batter became the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to reach 12,000 ODI runs, a feat that reflects his sustained excellence at the highest level.

His unbeaten 101 in Guwahati demonstrated his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations during the series. Jaffer also highlights how Rohit’s transformation as an opening batsman fundamentally changed the trajectory of his career and impact on Indian cricket. The former batter credited Rohit’s willingness to embrace the opportunity to bat at the top of the order as a turning point in his development as a player.

“Rohit Sharma became Rohit Sharma when he started to open. We saw a different side of Rohit Sharma when he got a chance to open at the 2013 Champions Trophy. He had the talent and potential, but he has never looked back after 2013.

Batting at the top of the order is the best position to be in ODIs and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” concluded Jaffer.